PM FIGHTS MP OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT

MBABANE –Fight does not only mean taking part in a violent struggle involving the exchange of physical blows or the use of weapons, but it may also mean ‘quarrel or argue’, according to the world’s renowned lexicon, the Oxford Dictionary. 

Prime Minister (PM) Sibusiso Dlamini is fighting Nkwene Member of Parliament (MP) Sikhumbuzo Dlamini over insinuations and far reaching implications of a perceived derogatory and highly sensitive statement allegedly made by the lawmaker about the premier’s powers.

The PM has taken the legal route to deal with the legislator. His attorneys have written a letter to the MP calling upon him to come out of parliament and repeat the supposedly defamatory statement he made about the premier inside the Chambers on December 11, 2017. The PM’s letter is dated February 5, 2018.
The Nkwene MP is said to have talked about executive powers reserved for His Majesty the King.    

For legal reasons, the Times SUNDAY cannot repeat the exact words spoken by the MP in the Chambers as the Prime Minister has viewed his submission as defamatory.
In terms of the Parliamentary Privileges Act of 1967, an MP is protected from civil suits when he makes a submission inside the Chambers.
Section 3 of the Parliamentary Privileges Act, under freedom of speech and debate, reads: “There shall be freedom of speech and debate or proceedings in Parliament and such freedom shall not be liable to be impeached or questioned in any court or place outside Parliament.”

In section 4, the Act gives both the Senate and House of Assembly the authority to deal with anyone who violates this provision. Section 4 states: “For the purpose of this Act the Senate and the House of Assembly sitting jointly or separately shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, possess such powers and jurisdiction as may be necessary for enquiring into, judging and pronouncing upon the commission of any act, matter or thing herein declared to be a contravention of this Act.”
Furthermore, in Section 5, the Act gives both Senate and the House of Assembly the rights and privileges to assume the status of a court of law when dealing with anyone deemed to have violated the Act.

The section provides: “The Senate and the House of Assembly, sitting jointly or separately as a court, shall subject to the provisions of this Act have all such rights and privileges of a court of law as may be necessary for the purpose of summarily enquiring into and punishing any act, matter or thing herein declared to be contravention of this Act.”
The letter written by the attorney on behalf of the Prime Minister contains strong language. Again, this newspaper cannot repeat certain words contained in the letter. 

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