VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE A USEFUL TOOL - EX-MPS

MBABANE - It would be a big mistake for Parliament to do away with the vote of no confidence.

This is the feeling of former Members of Parliament, who shared their views following a statement by Senators to the effect that the vote of no confidence should be avoided.
The senators made their feeling known during their workshop which was held at the Royal Swazi Sun last week.

By definition, a motion of no-confidence, alternatively vote of no confidence, or (unsuccessful) confidence motion, is a statement or vote which states that a person(s) in a position of responsibility (government, managerial, etc.) is no longer deemed fit to hold that position, perhaps because they are inadequate in some respect, are failing to carry out obligations, or are making decisions that other members feel are detrimental.
As a parliamentary motion, it demonstrates to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in (one or more members of) the appointed government.

Vocal about the vote of no confidence was former National Commissioner of Police Senator Isaac Magagula, who said he felt like it was some sort of humiliation, especially when passed on Cabinet ministers.
“I do understand that we all have privileges and in these days where people have rights to freedom of speech, some of them can just pass a vote of no confidence just for the public gallery. There is a need for both Houses to work in harmony,” said Magagula.
He was supported by the Deputy Prime Minister ,Themba Masuku, who told the members to stay away from passing a vote of no confidence on government.

However, the former MPs have said that the vote of no confidence should always apply in Parliament as it was the perfect way of holding government accountable.
In separate interviews, the former legislators said doing away with the vote of no confidence would lead to a situation where government would do things willy-nilly and forget about its mandate of service delivery to the nation.
Furthermore, the former MPs said doing away with such an instrument would put the country in bad light.

Other former legislators said doing away with the instrument would mean that the country had no respect for the Constitution, which provided for a vote of no confidence to be passed on the prime minister and his or her Cabinet.
Section 68 of the Constitution of Eswatini, 2005 stipulates clearly that the office of the Prime Minister shall become vacant where a resolution of no confidence is passed on him or hereby at least two thirds majority of all members of the House.
The supreme law of the land allows His Majesty King Mswati III to dissolve Cabinet in the event that a vote of no confidence has been passed on it. “Where a resolution of no confidence is passed on the Cabinet by a three-fifths majority of all members of the House the King shall dissolve the Cabinet,” the Constitution stipulates.

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