KING HAILED FOR NOT APPOINTING 10 ELECTED SENATORS

MANZINI – The non-appointment of the 10 elected senators into Cabinet is said to be a good thing.

The 10 senators, who comprise five of each gender, were caught in the crossfire, when allegations of corruption marred the Senate elections by members of the House of Assembly. The controversy which engulfed the election of senators by Members of Parliament (MPs) had allegations that votes were sold for cash, and as such, some of the candidates during the Senate elections supposed to have been ‘robbed’. Last month, this publication reported that some aspirant senators, who eventually lost in the Senate elections, purported to  have spent over E1 million in seeking some members of the House of Assembly to vote for them with an original vote, during the elections on October 12, 2023.

Elections

Subsequent to the elections, those who crashed out started making an array of allegations, with some demanding their money back from some of the MPs as they claimed that they had ‘breached’ their gentlemen’s agreement. Their claims resulted in the Clerk to Parliament, Benedict Xaba, through a press briefing, informing the public that he had reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and also the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), the allegations of some legislators selling their original votes to those who were nominated. As the investigations into the claims continue, some social commentators suppose it was a great precedent to omit those who were allegedly implicated in the supposed corruption up until everything was concluded.

Decision

One of the people supporting this, is Senator Tony Sibandze. He said in his understanding, it was a great decision to have the Cabinet appointed outside those whose election into Senate was still under investigation. Sibandze said: “Despite that these are mere allegations, whose veracity is yet to be established; having any of the affected who are indirectly linked to the investigation could compromise the integrity of Cabinet.” He said public office demanded a person with integrity, which was beyond reproach. Sibandze said Cabinet was not a fish and chips business, which could be handled anyhow. The senator said what was essential was to guarantee the dignity of Cabinet as public perception needed to be managed. Sibandze said for now, the politicians who did not form part of Cabinet could still serve the country diligently in Parliament.

“If there are ongoing investigations, let them be concluded and should they prove negative, then if need be for replacements, should there be a reshuffle, then if they meet what the country needs in Cabinet, then they could be considered,” Sibandze emphasised. Also, Senate hopeful in the 11th Parliament Sifiso Dlamini said: “If the omission of the elected 10 senators was calculated and intentional, it is a bold statement by the PM that he will not tolerate any accusation and or traits of corrupt practices.” Dlamini also said the pressing question which begged an answer was; ‘‘Were the elected senators ‘Cabinet material?’’

Accusations

He said apart from the accusations of corruption, they would probably make excellent senators and not necessarily good Cabinet ministers. Dlamini said in any case, the prerogative to appoint Cabinet lied with His Majesty King Mswati III, following the advice of the Prime Minister (PM), who in the 12th Parliament is Russell Mmiso Dlamini. Conversely, Economics Scholar Thembinkosi Dube said it was hard to pronounce much on the issue as investigations were ongoing. However, he said if it was true that they were omitted due to the ongoing investigations, then it was a great precedent. “It is usually best to conclude investigations and establish if the allegations hold water or not before any person is assigned to a public office,” Dube said. On the other hand, University of Eswatini Lecturer and Human Rights Lawyer Thabiso Mavuso said: “If it was consistent, it would be fair because any person assuming political office or a leadership position should be a person of unquestionable integrity.” Mavuso said, even if the allegations into the sale of votes for Senate were nothing but allegations, it would not be proper to have any person embroiled in such allegations in public office.”

Positions

He said it would be great if all people who had allegations against them were not included in positions of leadership, as this meant that their integrity was questionable. The human rights lawyer said the challenge was that there was no specific criterion specifying the quality of people needed in Cabinet. Despite this, he said it was key, in his understanding, to have relevance to a particular portfolio a minister shall lead.  Worth mentioning is that during Sibaya, corruption was one of the issues which the nation raised concerns about and it was highlighted that it derailed the pursuit of the First World status. The 10 elected senators are: Fezeka Dlamini, Lizzie Nkosi, Sicelo Qedusizi Dlamini, Ndumiso Mdluli, Linda Nxumalo, Celumusa Mndvoti, Majaha Mkhonta, Tony Sibandze, Lindiwe Ngwenya and Lorraine Nxumalo.

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