MINISTER: WHO SANCTIONED PARTIES’ CIVIC EDUCATION ON DIALOGUE?

MANZINI – Who commissioned a national dialogue which warrants MSF and pro-democracy movements to engage the public in communities?

This question was posed by the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, following reports that the Multi-stakeholder Forum (MSF) will hold a general council (GC) meeting for pro-democracy movements to discuss various issues. One of the issues is consolidating ideas on how they would go to the communities across the country to give guidance to the people about the anticipated national dialogue, especially how to dialogue. They said this was in line with their call for an all-inclusive dialogue.

When the minister was asked about the plan by the MSF and pro-democracy movements, that of going to communities to conduct civic education in a bid to guide the public regarding the anticipated all-inclusive dialogue, he said; “Whosoever wants to engage the public about the expected national talks, they should answer this question - who commissioned the dialogue?” He said this question should be answered because the King, who was supposed to call Sibaya and commission the dialogue, had not yet done so.

On the other hand, Manzini Regional Administrator (RA) Chief Gija said some people seemed to have forgotten that the country had a Constitution, which was drafted by emaSwati, which guided them. In that regard, he said they should consult the Constitution in whatever they planned to do. Again, the RA said government structures like Parliament and the executive needed to direct emaSwati on which way to go and clarify who had the power to go to chiefdoms to discuss political issues. He said according to his knowledge, politics that were supported by chiefs had to do with development of the communities. He said core political issues were reserved for the tinkhundla councillors (chiefdom councillors, constituency headmen and members of Parliament (MPs). In that regard, he said the pro-democracy movements should raise their ideas with chiefdom councillors (bucopho), who would take them to the inkhundla and umphakatsi (royal kraal). Thereafter, he said the MPs would take it to Parliament.

On another note, Lubombo RA Themba Msibi said those who wanted to do civic education on the dialogue in communities, should talk to the relevant structures, where they would also get permission. He said people in chiefdoms were under chiefs, thus they needed to approach them and if they got the permission, the headman would be given instructions to call the meeting. He said even non-governmental organisations (NGOs) went through the same procedure when they wanted to meet people in communities. Again, Shiselweni Regional Secretary (RS) Zwelakhe Dlamini said they stood to be guided by government, especially their head office, which was the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development .

Consult

“It they come to ask for permission, we will consult our line ministry,” the RS said. He said any organisation which wanted to meet people in the communities should have a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development. Meanwhile, Hhohho RA Princess Tsandzile asked not to say much about the matter. However, she said the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, the region (RAs office) and chiefs should be informed about it. In that regard, she said the pro-democracy movements should follow the laid down procedure. On the other hand, MSF Chairman Thulani Maseko, who is also a human rights lawyer, asked not to comment for now as they were still to discuss the subject during their meeting which is scheduled for Friday at Tums Water World at Sidvokodvo.

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