LET’S FIRE JUSTICE MINISTER - MP

LOBAMBA – Matsanjeni North Member of Parliament (MP) Phila Buthelezi has called on his colleagues to fire Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Sibusiso Shongwe so that the country could have a break.

The MP made this submission last night, before the House of Assembly selected a five-man team tasked with engaging Shongwe to show cause why he should not be charged with contempt of Parliament for his failure to withdraw the infamous Distribution of Estates Policy as directed by the House.

Buthelezi, when making his submission, said he strongly believed that the House was wasting its time in selecting a committee because Shongwe would not listen to it.
“I have a feeling he will not listen to the committee so let us just get rid of him by using Section 68 (4e and f) of the Constitution, which calls for a vote of no confidence, and give the nation a rest,” he said.
In vernecular he said: “Asesiphumute live ngaye.”

Buthelezi further declined to be nominated as a member of the seclect committee stating that through his submission he had already indicated that he did not think much of the minister and, therefore, it would not be fair to the House if he was in the committee.

He further said the selected five should also summon the minister and not go to him, and he was confident that he would not appear before them.
The motion was moved by Manzini North MP Jan Sithole, who tabled copies of newpaper reports quoting the minister saying that he was unapologetic on issues concerning widows and if need be he would not follow protocol.

Legislators

“When MPs won the elections they took an oath that they would defend the Constitution and our role as legislators is to pass laws and play an oversight role on the Executive,” said Sithole. He said Shongwe, as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, must lead by example in being a true custodian of the law.

He said the minister had failed to honour the House resolution which called for him to withdraw his statement and further, within 21 days, table a Bill which would ammend the law.
“The minister failed to go on radio or any media house to withdraw the statement and instead he went to a workshop and uttered these statements which showed disrespect to the House and an air of anarchy in his ways,” said Sithole.

Defiance

Sithole said the ministers’ behaviour showed defiance of the highest order and contempt of the House. “I would like the committee to follow up this matter,” he said.
Sithole was seconded by Mbabane West MP Johane Shongwe who said in his entire span in Parliament he had never witnessed such disrespect by a minister.

“As his father, I advised him against such behaviour, but it is clear that he not only disrespected the House, but Cabinet too,” he said.
Shongwe informed the House that when the minister made his unapologetic statement he was with the Speaker at the Royal Swazi Convention Centre.

“Our tea even went cold Speaker when you asked me what was wrong with the minister and I was just as tongue-tied as you were Speaker, remember,” said the MP.

He suggested that the committee should summon the minister and not go to him. “Even a child knows that this minister is out of order,” he said.
The committee is expected to table a report within seven days.

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