Home | News | KING: REOPEN SCU IMMEDIATELY

KING: REOPEN SCU IMMEDIATELY

Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font

LOBAMBA – The lion has roared.  It was yesterday at 6am when His Majesty King Mswati III ordered the immediate reopening of the Swaziland Christian University (SCU).


The good news was delivered by the Speaker, Themba Msibi, before a packed House of Assembly yesterday afternoon.
The students could not hide their joy and they even clapped their hands in the House of Assembly, something which is against the rules.


Equalling the level of excitement of the students were Members of Parliament (MPs) who unanimously shouted “Bayethe, WenaWaphakathi.”
Using Standing Order No.39 (b), Msibi said he had a communication from the Chair.


He said the House would remember that a few weeks ago, the MPs had tasked the Speaker and four other legislators to relay the issue of the suspension of the university’s operations to the King.
This was after the MPs had called for the immediate reopening of the tertiary institution.


“I want to report that this morning we were with His Majesty at 6am which was when he commanded that the SCU be reopened,” said Msibi.
He said the King made the pronouncement in the presence of Cabinet ministers who could also support him.
This was when the House ruptured into loud excitement with some MPs rising from their seats as they expressed their joy. 


Some MPs even recited poems and engaged in a bit of praise singing.
Msibi explained that the King had said while the university continued to operate, the various committees tasked with fixing the issues should continue to operate in parallel.


Nkhaba MP Menzi Dlamini, who was part of the delegation sent to the King, confirmed what Msibi had said. “He said they must continue to address the issues, while the students were in class,” said Dlamini.
There were 917 students affected by the closure of the university.
Dvokodvweni MP Sitezi Dlamini, who was also a member of the select committee, said it was the students who the King was mainly concerned about.
“He asked us what the students were occupying themselves with while the university was nonoperational,” said MP Sitezi.
MP Sitezi further thanked Mbabane West MP Johane Shongwe, whom he said was very passionate about the issue from day one.
“Siyabonga madara,” he said.
Another member of the select committee, Nkwene MP Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, said the King was happy to learn that Parliament knew that they had to engage him, particularly on matters where the MPs did not see eye to eye with government.
“I would also like to thank you Speaker for the manner in which you handled the issue, because when we wanted to debate it, you ensured that we did not fight,” MP Sikhumbuzo said.
He said the King had advised them that they should discuss these issues and investigate them to find the root cause of what had happened at SCU.
He said he was also happy that the students had not opted for acts of violence but had remained calm.
Khubutha MP Njabulo Mabuza was also full of praises for His Majesty, stating that he had made the right decision.
“This was a tragedy and something which had never been heard of,” said Mabuza.
Meanwhile, Minister of Economic Planning and Development Prince Hlangusemphi also confirmed the King’s instruction, stating that he had said although there were problems at the institution, the students should continue with their lessons.
Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo said he was happy that the King’s advice had been sought. “It is clear that the King has two ears and listens to both sides of the story,” said Khumalo.
He said the King’s action was a clear demonstration that His Majesty was above all. He said he was happy that the Speaker and the committee had worked together until the end.
Minister of Health Sibongile Simelane said the King had spoken and the various committees were expected to work day and night to fix the problems at SCU.

Comments (0 posted):

Post your comment comment

Please enter the code you see in the image: