Politics

MBABANE – Members of Parliament (MPs) want a legislation that will necessitate the vetting of individuals before they commit to a marriage.

This call comes after the legislators expressed worry with the high number of divorces reflected in the Ministry of Home Affairs Second Quarter Performance Report.

In the period between July 2025 and September 2025, 196 divorces were registered at the ministry. This shows a decline of 26 per cent, compared to 247 that were registered in the first quarter. Early last year, this newspaper reported that in just one year, registered divorce cases increased by 70 per cent, according to the Annual Vital Statistics Report 2023.

It was reported that among both sexes, divorces occurred between the age groups of 30 and 34 and 40 and 44 years. According to the report, most brides got divorced between the ages of 35 and 39, while grooms retired from their matrimonial unions between 40 and 44 years. At the backdrop of these figures, MPs want a policy that will look into the readiness of couples, considering such things as financial stability, age of consent and if families of the couple have given a green light to their union, among other things.

A marriage policy refers to the legal requirements, rights and obligations associated with marriage, which vary by jurisdiction. Hhohho Region MP Tanele Magagula, who also serves as a pastor and plays a role in matrimonial ceremonies at times, submitted that a marriage policy would help flag things that can eventually lead to a divorce because as it is, it is scary.

She made an example that financial instability significantly increases the risk of a divorce because it is a common cause of conflict, stress and even separation.

“We need a policy that will not only look into the issue of finances for a committing couple but also makes it a requirement for both families to consent to the union.

“Marriage has become easy these days and most of the time, the families of the couple are not informed and this contributes to the challenges that lead to divorce,” she said.

Magagula said it was embarrassing for the country to have such a high number of divorces, highlighting that a great percentage of the divorces were from the civil rites marriage.

“Maybe we need to go back to our traditional way of marriage because it has less divorces,” she said.

Prior to Magagula’s submission, Lomahasha MP Zanele Mashaba said the ministry should heed Parliament’s call for a mandatory DNA test for new-borns. In support of this motion, which was moved by Mahlangatsha MP, Mgucisi Dlamini recently, the legislators agreed that it was one of the major contributors to divorces.

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Faulty ID production system deprives aspiring soldiers

LOBAMBA – Some aspiring soldiers missed the opportunity to get employment in the army while some learners encountered challenges in writing their examination because they did not have IDs.

This was one of the concerns that were raised by Members of Parliament yesterday, given that the national identification document (ID) production system at the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently experiencing challenges.

Late last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement informing the general public that it was currently facing a significant disruption in their services due to malfunction of the ID production printers.

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Honesty, teachings solution - Mkhatshwa

LOBAMBA – Prominent traditionalist Elliot Mkhatshwa, holds the view that thorough teachings at grassroots and honesty remain the solution to the escalating divorces.

Mkhatshwa, who also worked as the King’s Liaison Officer, known as Ndabazabantu, was requested to share his view on the call by Parliament for legislation that will necessitate the vetting of individuals before they commit to a marriage.

He said the suggestion by the legislators will not hold because marriage is an affair between two people and conducting a background check on the couple is not the way to go.

He agreed that the divorces registered in the country were alarming but insisted that honesty between the committed persons remained the noble solution.

He also revealed that there was laxity by parents, pastors and guardians to conduct teachings on marriage, hence the escalating divorces.

“The tendency nowadays, is that people get into marriage because of material things, not out of love.

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Concern on foreigners impregnating, abandoning emaSwati

LOBAMBA – There is a concern on foreign nationals impregnating and abandoning emaSwati.

The concern was raised by Mafutseni Member of Parliament (MP) Sabelo Mtetwa, who noted that after getting emaSwati pregnant, most of the foreigners shy away from the responsibility of raising the child but instead, opt to return to their native countries.

Mtetwa even suggested that there should be a policy that compels foreigners to pay a settlement for impregnating a liSwati woman, especially when they decide to leave the country.

 “Let us have a policy that will compel these foreigners to make a settlement before they leave the country if they have impregnated a liSwati because the child becomes the responsibility of government,” he said.

Mtetwa made an example that in Ethiopia, there is a policy that compels a foreign national to pay US$80 000 (E1.4 million) to the woman he impregnates, if they nominate to leave the country.

*Full article available in our publication.

Minister for Home Affairs, Princess Lindiwe making her remarks during the ministry’s second quarter performance report debate in Parliament yesterday. Next to her is the ministry’s Principal Secretary, Nhlanhla Nxumalo and other officials from the ministry. (Pic: Sabelo Majola)