Times Sunday
23 June 2008
Letter to the Editor
Why Inhlava wants multi-party democracy
Sir,
I would like to extend my appreciation to Prince Mfanasibili for showing interest in our political beliefs as a party.
The Prince in his column (11 May, 2008) says 'it appears Inhlava wants the king to cease making political appointments'.
That is not correct Nkhosi. In promoting our beliefs , the party advocates for the amendment of the kingdom's constitution to allow for the creation of political parties so as to allow citizens to exercise their fundamental rights to freedom of association and assembly thus ensuring citizens full and effective participation in decision making processes.
In calling for the amendment of the constitution, the party believes that the king shall be the Sovereign Head of State and as such shall represent the kingdom in international engagements that the government shall deem fit.
The king shall then receive ambassadors and High commissioners accredited to the kingdom of Swaziland.
The appointment of commissioners would be approved by the government. The party is of the view that the king would further appoint chiefs in accordance with Swazi Law and Custom, but government would be responsible for their remuneration.
Furthermore, the king shall be allowed to appoint just about five (in total) chiefs and bantfwabenkhosi in Senate, with the remaining seats to various groups in Swaziland -such as CANGO, Law Society, employers, workers Federations, etc.
This is quite clear mntfwanenkhosi that the party advocates for decentralization of power to the people as opposed to the centralisation of power to the king under the Tinkhundla system.
History has taught us that the centralisation of political power to the king is counter-productive in the sense that it promotes corruption and nepotism.
The Tinkhundla system does not allow government to be accountable to the people in the sense that political appointees have no political mandate from the people.
Those appointed by the king and Emabandla have no concern for the people's expectations. They work to impress the appointing authority.
You shall recall that the former Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini once told the Swazi people that he was not the one who created the famous November 28 statement, but certain people in the corridors of power. These secret cabals have no respect for the wishes of the people because they are not elected by the people, but appointed by the king.
Inhlava advocates for multi-party democracy where the people elect a government of their choice which has the best policies to change their lives for the better.
If a party wins an election then the pressure is on the victorious party to deliver to the expectations of the masses (not the members) or risk being voted out in the next election.
Furthermore, the party is under pressure to rid itself of undesirable demerits in its cabinet or national structures.
It just cannot fold its arms and watch as if all is well as it is the order of the day under Tinkhundla.
In terms of appointment of ministers, Inhlava has bye-laws that state that: All ministerial positions except that of Prime Minister and Deputy Minister shall be contested for by party members immediately after a national election so as to give equal opportunities to party members.
The contest shall be conducted by a subcommittee of the national executive comprising of the chairman, Vice chairman, Secretary General, treasurer and a trustee. The subcommittee shall set minimum qualification standards which would have been approved by the national executive.
The NEC shall then recommend to the Prime Minister names of ministers for appointments to the respective portfolios. The other responses to umntwanenkhosi will be given the following week.
Thank you, Mr editor.
Masotja Gamedze,
Inhlava Political PartySecretary General
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