8 EX-MINISTERS BOUNCE BACK

MBABANE – His Majesty the King has reappointed all the returning ministers from the previous Cabinet into the new look team that has 11 new faces.

With the Judiciary facing its most challenging time yet, former Judicial Services Commission member who has had a series of run-ins with the Law Society of Swaziland, Sibusiso Shongwe, has been handed the reins at the Justice ministry.

The Law society sought to charge Shongwe for alleged misconduct after he allegedly claimed the lawyers’ regulatory body advocated for regime change. The King has also shown faith in the former appointees to Cabinet as all have returned. However, they have all assumed different portfolios following the massive overhaul of the elected representatives serving in the previous Cabinet. Sithobela MP, Magobetane Mamba and appointee Prince Hlangusemphi are the only Cabinet appointees, apart from the Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini, who have returned to head their previous portfolios.

The new Cabinet was announced by Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini  during a press conference at Cabinet Offices yesterday.
Among the new faces in Cabinet are;
•    Appointed Senator, Paul Dlamini who was previously Shiselweni Regional Administrator until his appointment last week, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Sibusiso Shongwe, Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade, Gideon “City” Dlamini, Minister for Agriculture Moses Vilakati, Minister of Tourism Jabulani “Buy Cash” Mabuza,Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Dumisani Ndlangamandla, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Phiwayinkhosi Mabuza, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, Minister of Education Phineas Magagula, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jabulane Mabuza, Minister of Health, Sibongile Simelane and Minister of Finance, Martin Dlamini, former Central Bank Governor. The returning ministers and their new portfolios are as follows;
•    Minister of Public Works and Transport, Pastor Lindiwe Dlamini, formerly Housing and Urban Development; Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Jabulile Mashwama, formerly Commerce, Industry and Trade; Minister of Home Affairs Princess Tsandzile, formerly Natural Resources and Energy; Minister of Tinkhundla Administration Mduduzi ‘Small Joe’ Dlamini, formerly Tourism and Environmental Affairs; Minister of Labour and Social Security Winnie Magagula, formerly Information, Communication and Technology(ICT); Minister of Economic Planning and Development Prince Hlangusemphi and Minister of Public Service Magobetane Mamba.
The new DPM, when called soon after the announcement yesterday, said he was shocked by the news while new Commerce minister Gideon Dlamini, said as a seasoned businessman he would take this opportunity with both hands and not let the electorate down.

Five women in new cabinet

MBABANE – The 10th Parliament consists of five women in Cabinet.

This is the same number as the Ninth Parliament. The female ministers are Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Jabulile Mashwama; Minister of Health Sibongile Simelane, Minister of Home Affairs, Princess Tsandzile; Minister of Labour and Social Security, Winnie Magagula and the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Pastor Lindiwe Dlamini.

This reflects a 25 per cent representation; a far cry from the internationally desired 50 per cent gender sensitive representation and slightly short of the local 30 per cent constitutionally recommended minimum. Notably four of the female ministers served in the previous Cabinet in different portfolios. Minister Mashwama has been moved from Commerce, Minister Princess Tsandzile was moved from Natural Resources, Minister Magagula moved from ICT and Minister Dlamini moved from Housing and Urban Development.

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