JUSTICE MINISTER ACCUSES MP PHILA BUTHELEZI OF XENOPHOBIA

LOBAMBA – Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Sibusiso Shongwe considers Matsanjeni North Member of Parliament (MP) Phila Buthelezi to be xenophobic.

This is because of his call to the minister to begin appointing Swazis into the positions of judges and chief justice instead of relying on foreign individuals.

Buthelezi made this appeal during a debate of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs 2014/15 annual report in Parliament last week. The response to his appeal was tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday. The MP was captured having said he commended the work done by Judge Esther Ota, who has since left the country but now preferred that a Swazi replace her.

He also urged the minister to see to it that even the incumbent Chief Justice (CJ), Michael Ramodibedi, who is from Lesotho, was replaced by a Swazi.

The minister, in his captured response, said: “The concern raised by the honourable member is quite disturbing; it contains xenophobic sentiments which undermine the integrity of the august House. The appointment of judges and the chief justice is done in terms of the Constitution and it does not prohibit the appointment of foreign judges.”

He pointed out that the issue of Judge Ota was a secondment done and facilitated by the Commonwealth. He said it was also clear, in terms of the Constitution, who appointed judges.

 responses

Buthelezi was also asked by the minister, in his responses, to declare his interest in another matter he had raised.

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