Some MPs ready to form political party if ...

MANZINI – If need be, some Members of Parliament ( MPs) say they are ready to start a political party.

This was said by Hosea Constituency MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza on Tuesday night, in a press conference attended by two more MPs – Nkilongo Constituency MP Timothy Myeni and Mtsambama Constituency MP Simosakhe Shongwe – in addition to the usual legislators who have been at the forefront in the call for change.

The two MPs who have been publicly vocal in the call for political reforms with Mabuza are: Ngwempisi Constituency MP Mthandeni Dube and Siphofaneni Constituency MP Mduduzi Simelane.

In this press conference, also present were President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers ( SNAT) Mbongwa Dlamini and the President of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland ( TUCOSWA), Quinton Dlamini.

In his address, Mabuza said legislators also had a right to form a political party and if it came to a push, it was something they were prepared to do.

He said they did not want the, Speaker Petros Mavimbela, to see what usually happened in other countries’ Parliaments. However, he supposed that if the Speaker did not refrain from ‘ outsmarting’ them, the nightmare of chaos in Parliament could be his ( Mavimbela) reality.

The legislator, without being specific, likened the Speaker to Squealer of the House of Assembly.

Mabuza supposed that the Speaker was taking advice which at times made him not to point people in Parliament as they were deemed ‘ unruly’.

Squealer isa fiction al character in George Orwell’s novel ‘ Animal Farm’.

Squealer was one of three most important pigs. He was clever and a good speaker that was excellent in persuading the other animals.

Mabuza supposed that as long as they were viewed as stupid, the House of Assembly could resemble what happened in other parliaments and be unruly.

He said they were patient with the system and were pleading for what they sought – an elected PM.

“We don’t want to reach a point where we shall form a party inside the House.”

The legislator said he respected the King and pleaded with the Monarch to ignore those who were advising him as he claimed that they were protecting their jobs.

Advisors

Mabuza claimed t he advisors were benefitting from the current status quo which made them resistant to advising him on change. He said their call was not seeking the King to abdicate from his throne but they were calling for political change that would allow the citizenry to vote for the premier.

“We still want the King there.”

He said it was his wish to see the King as they were tired of people who were lying to protect their jobs. Mabuza said people may assume that once you were a legislator it was easier to get audience with the King; yet it was something that was hard to achieve as there were people who ensured that it did not happen.

The politician said they had resolved to use online platforms because they were not easily gaining access to the Monarch. He said if there was a platform for him to meet the King, he would request that the people elect their own PM.

The legislator said their prayer was that COVID - 19 would subside so that emaSwati could meet and state what they wanted as a way forward. Meanwhile, a questionnaire was sent to the Speaker, but by the time this article was compiled, he had not responded.

Abandon

He had been sought to give his input on whether he persuaded legislators to abandon certain quests and or avoided pointing them because they rendered the House unruly.

Meanwhile MP Mabuza claimed that there were people who broke the law with impunity and protected corruption at all cost.

“The people blocking us don’t want change.,” he said.

He cited the appointment of the prime minister as one instance where the law was not adhered to as the Constitution stated that the PM shall be appointed from the House of Assembly.

However, Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo clarified the matter and produced a legal notice depicting that the PM was appointed into the House a day before his announcement as premier. Mabuza further claimed that there was a person in Parliament suspected to be commanding MPs on what to do and overruled them.