MARCHES BAN: PRINCE SIMELANE MUST WITHDRAW – SOME MPS

MBABANE – “Minister of Housing and Urban Development Prince Simelane must withdraw his decision to strip municipalities of powers to issue permits to march.”

The above sentiments were shared by some Members of Parliament (MPs) following the minister’s announcement last Thursday during a press conference held at his offices. The minister announced that all municipalities in the country should stop issuing permits to march or demonstrate. Parliamentarians accused the minister of using unwarranted powers which were way above him as a Cabinet member. Such powers, they said, were not backed by any legislation, which was not acceptable.

The parliamentarians stated that the minister needed to explain to the House on who granted him the right to make such a pronouncement. The legislators were asked by the this publication during random interviews on their general feeling following the decision, which the minister took without consulting them. Mtsambama MP Simosakhe Shongwe said as a member of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Portfolio Committee, he was shocked by the decision made by the minister without even consulting them.

Shongwe wondered why Parliament was not dissolved and Cabinet continues without it as they (ministers) did as they pleased, while the legislators who were elected by the people did not have a say. He said the decision was another way of continuing to frustrate emaSwati, considering that the request to march was sent to the municipality which granted it, considering certain terms and conditions, including that the march should be peaceful.

Wrong

Lomahasha MP Ndumiso Masimula stated that it was wrong for the minister to come up with such a decision without going through Parliament. Masimula said such a decision spoke to the governance of the country as marches and demonstrations were legal and catered for by law. “It is the right of the people to assembly peacefully when they want to amplify their voice and send a specific message.” Nkilongo MP Timothy Myeni said the country was signatory to conventions on the rights to assembly among other things. Myeni stated that the minister was very wrong to wake up and call a press conference and change the laws of the country without even going through Parliament.  

Mangcongco MP One Boy Zikalala said marches in the country were catered for in the Public Order Act, 2017. Zikalala said people were backed by the law when requesting to march, hence to finally make the decision, the minister had to go through Parliament and the section be amended as per his wish. He stated that marches were legally catered for. He said the minister could have spoken out of anger following the current political events in the country, notwithstanding the consequences that came with the decision. “I think he will reverse the resolution as it is not a good decision at all.”  When reached for comment, the Government Spokesperson, Sabelo Dlamini, said the minister had a reason to suspend the marches. Dlamini said there was nothing new they could add apart from the reason cited by the minister.

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