KING CALLS SIBAYA

 MBABANE – Will Wednesday mark the end of the 10th Parliament? Arguably, this is the question that many people, including Members of Parliament, asked themselves after His Majesty King Mswati III called Sibaya.

 Many people predicted that the Monarch would dissolve Parliament in readiness to form a new government under the 11th Parliament after the announcement was made during a press conference at Ludzidzini Royal Residence yesterday morning.

According to the country’s Constitution, Sibaya is the National Council constituted by Bantfwabenkhosi, chiefs, of the realm and adult citizens gathered at the official residence of the Queen Mother under the chairmanship of the King, who might delegate this function to any official.

Controversial

Sibaya is the annual general meeting of the nation which can  be convened at anytime to present the views of the nation on pressing and controversial national issues.
The Constitution also provided that the people, through Sibaya, constitute the highest policy and advisory council (Libandla) of the nation.

Conveying the King‘s message, Acting Ludzidzini Governor, Chief Lusendvo Fakudze, said the nation was expected to be seated inside the cattle byre at 11 am.
The King also urged the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is in charge of national events in the country to make sure that the nation was transported to Ludzidzini before 11am on Wednesday.

The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Anthony Masilela confirmed having received the directive from the King.  As a result, Masilela said they would meet the relevant ministry this morning as far as transport was concerned.

Worth noting is that Sibaya, which its agenda is only known during the King’s speech, always comes with surprises to the nation.
However, possible agendas of Sibaya include among others, the dissolving of Parliament, which happens after five years, changes within the Cabinet or allowing public opinions on pressing and controversial national issues in order to find a solution.

In random interviews after the announcement, a majority of Members of Parliament shared the sentiment that there was a  likelihood that the Monarch would dissolve the 10th Parliament in readiness of the formation of the new government.
The legislators said it was common cause that the King, who is the chairman of Sibaya, exercises his constitutional powers during this time of the year.

“Inkhosi ayifakwa emagama emlonyeni futsi kulukhuni kucabanga kutsi ngabe itawuphefumula itsini kubantfu bayo. Kepha  ngiyasola kutsi ingahle itsi iphalamende lekhona ayibeke phansi emajoko kute kwakhiwe hulumende lomusha,” said Siphofaneni PM Gundwane Gamedze in vernacular. This is  loosely translated: “Even though it is not easy to predict the King’s speech, I have the feeling that he might dissolve the 10th Parliament in order to form a new government.”

Gamedze said they were ready to hear and keep the King’s words.  Gege MP Mbongiseni Malinga said the King might dissolve the Parliament to create a level ground for the nation to start the race for the 11th Parliament.

Elections

Some MPs, however, stated that they were eager to go home so that they could start preparing for the upcoming elections. They said ideally, the 10th Parliament would have been dissolved so that they could concentrate on the preparations for the elections.
“Akusasebenteki ngoba utsi usebenta ube ucabanga kutsi kwentekani lemuva. Utsi usebenta kube kungena tincingo lemuva,” said Kubutha MP Njabulo Mabuza.
However, Mabuza said the King might say something different from what people expected. Worth noting was that the majority of MPs missed sittings recently, resulting in postponements.

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