WHO PAID MOST FOR A SENATE SEAT?

Times of Swaziland

10 October 2008

Comment

Editorial

D-Day: Who paid the most?

Members of Parliament are today expected to elect a Speaker of the House and elect 10 members to serve as senators. A new system has been adopted where each member will have an opportunity to not only submit a candidate’s name, but also have time to motivate the submission.

To expect that this new system could bring about a better selection from the parliamentarians is only wishful thinking.

opportunity

It provides a good opportunity though for us to identify the people who support those we know to have pumped in lots of money for a Speaker and Senate seat.

People have been paid, very well, to get desperate wanna-be-politicians into parliament as demonstrated by the shooting down of MP Nonhlanhla Dlamini when she suggested they look at beefing up the House with professionals who had expertise in fields that were not represented in the House.

She rightly observed the shortage of the legal fraternity yet their job had a lot to do with formulating legislation.

Some MPs also questioned why they, and not the king, had to balance the gender scales because they had a lot of males to bring to parliament; well paying males no doubt.

unhelpful

While the Attorney General was unhelpful with regards to whether they could nominate people who lost in the primary or secondary stages, we would not hesitate to say yes, but not former ministers who have a proven track record of failure.

There are many capable MPs who were robbed by bribing ambitious politicians and therefore careful consideration of the names raised must be made.

As for those who came begging for a job when MPs gathered for a workshop yesterday, well, what can we say; that’s how cheap a parliament seat has become.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/index.php?news=2095

LOBBYING FOR SWAZI SENATE SEATS

Swazi Observer

10 October 2008

Intense lobbying at MPs’ induction workshop

Stories by Njabulo Dlamini

THERE was intense lobbying for votes from MPs by some persons during the induction workshop for the legislators.

The individuals are hoping to be considered for Senate positions.

Even those who lost the elections were strongly canvassing for votes amongst the recently elected MPs who had converged at King Sobhuza II Memorial Park for the workshop organised by Parliament.

Mandla ‘DJ Nice’ Dlamini of Lobamba Lomdzala, who lost to Marwick Khumalo, was amongst those pleading with the legislators to consider him for a Senate position.

Another former MP who lost was Maria Ntshangase from Manzini South, who also held a brief caucus with some of the MPs pleading with them to elect her.

Apparently, she also approached Thandi Nxumalo, the MP for Manzini South whom she had a brush with recently over the results of the constituency.

Mkhiweni runner-up Gideon Dlamini is a favourite among MPs for nomination into senate. He also had a brief stint with the MPs but could not be allowed into the auditorium.

There was a strong presence of women who outnumbered the men seeking to be considered by the MPs for Senate positions.

In terms of the constitution, MPs are obliged to elect no less than five women for Senate, which is half the number of Senators to be elected by the House of Assembly.

After the election of 10 Senators by MPs, His Majesty King Mswati III will then appoint 20 persons into the Senate to join these.

Attorney General Majahenkhaba Dlamini took MPs through some parliamentary procedures such as election of Speaker and Deputy as well as on qualities of persons to be considered for Senate positions.

When Nonhlanhla Dlamini, Ludzeludze MP, called for profiling of the persons to be considered for the posts, she was booed by her colleagues.

Dlamini had said MPs should consider the profiles and academic achievements or otherwise of individuals for Senate positions such as legal background, after noting the deficiencies amongst them as MPs.

“We should elect persons who will add value to the legislature and nation,” she had said. But the likes of Aaron Dladla said they knew the qualities to look for on the candidates, dismissing the option of profiling them.

Today, MPs are to be sworn in and thereafter elect the Speaker and Deputy.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=47559&section=main

TOO FEW WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT

Times of Swaziland

8 October 2008

Disappointment as only two women appointed

By ARTHUR MORDAUNT

LOBAMBA – Yet again, acts of those in authority have been put on the spotlight regarding the implementation of the country’s constitution.

The latest involves the appointment of Members of Parliament to the House of Assembly by the king.

Constitutionally, His Majesty is supposed to appoint 10 MPs into the House to complement the 55 that are elected in the country’s constituencies.

Section 95 of the constitution states that the king, acting in his own discretion, after consulting with any bodies he may deem fit he will appoint not more than 10 members into the House.

Section 95 (2) (a) and (b) specifically states: "The nominated members of the House shall be appointed by the king so that at least half of them are female so as to represent interests, including marginalised groups, not already adequately represented in the House."

However, only two women were named in the list of the 10 appointees announced by Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Chief Gija yesterday. These were Thulile Dladla and Princess Ncengencenge.

Interviewed, Chief Gija said theirs was only to announce the names as supplied by the appointing authority. Asked if there was any explanation given to them regarding the perceived anomaly, he said there was none.

"Presumably, we shall get an explanation in due course should there be any that is forthcoming," said the chairman.

The Co-ordinating Assembly of Non Governmental Organisations (CANGO) expressed its disappointment at the list.

CANGO Information Officer Bongiwe Zwane said they were expecting more since women did not fare well during the electoral process.

"We are hopeful though that there will be more women in Senate," said an optimistic Zwane.

CANGO was one of the organisations pushing the ‘Vote for a woman campaign.’

Constitutionally, the king is expected to appoint 20 Senators, eight of whom are supposed to be female. About 10 more will be nominated by members of the House of Assembly. Half of these should be female.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/index.php?news=2045

KING APPOINTS NEW SWAZILAND MPs

Swazi Observer

8 October 2008

ALL THE KING'S MEN

Stories by Timothy Simelane

FORMER Ministers Majozi Sithole and Themba Msibi are MPs.

They were appointed to the House of Assembly by His Majesty King Mswati III alongside eight others.

The list announced by the Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission also names Princess Ncengencenge a converted Christian and pastor of the Jesus Calls Worship Centre and Kalanga Chief Sibengwane Ndzimandze who was formerly arrested for allegedly defrauding the Tinkhundla Regional Development Fund.

Thulile Dladla who was Sebenta National Institute Director is one of the surprise names.

Others are Prince Hlangusemphi, the Under Secretary of Defence and Mfanawemakhosi Dlamini who works for the ministry of Economic Planning and Development under the millennium projects.

Chief Gcokoma of Mbelebeleni and Mandla Dlamini, member of the border restoration committee have also been appointed MPs.

Former MP Chief Nzameya Nhlabatsi has also bounced back.

The announcement ends days and months of speculation, as some people expected to be on the list.

However, there is still a glimmer of hope because His Majesty is yet to announce the list of appointed Senators.

All the King’s men and women:

Prince Hlangusemphi

Chief Nzameya Nhlabatsi

Mandla Dlamini

Mfanawemakhosi Jomo Dlamini

Chief Sibengwane Ndzimandze

Princess Ncengencenge

Majozi Sithole

Chief Gcokoma of Mbelebeleni

Thulile Dladla

Themba Msibi.

Appointees shocked, tongue tied

Appointed MPs were shocked to learn that they were in the list of MPs announced by the Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).

Former Minister of Finance Majozi Sithole said he was not ready to comment on the appointment yesterday because he had not been officially informed.

Mfanawemakhosi Dlamini, an employee of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development said he was humbled by the appointment, adding that he had not expected it.

“I did not anticipate this appointment, and I’m still digesting this development, afterwhich I can make comments,” he said.

Princess Ncengencenge also expressed shock at the appointment, saying she would comment at a later stage. The princess has travelled the world and studied theology abroad. She was recently ordained at the Jesus Calls Worship Centre, a church headed by Pastor Robert Kasaro.

Others were not available for comment.

Chief Gija said the list would be conveyed to the Clerk to Parliament, who will then call all MPs to be sworn in and start business as usual.

“We are pleased to announce that His Majesty has made these appointments,” he said.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=47484&section=main

ROW OVER SWAZI SENATE NAMES

Swazi Observer

1 October 2008

Robert Magongo rules Nkwene MP out of order

By Sisho Magagula

EVEN before they get into the august chamber to commence business, some of the recently elected Members of Parliament have ruled one another “out of order”.

MP under Motjane Inkhundla, Robert Magongo has ruled Nkwene MP Aaron Dladla and Hlane MP Mduduzi Magagula out of order for suggesting that Walter Bennett and Mfomfo Nkambule should be considered for Senate seats.

The two MPs suggested that Bennett is crucial for his “corruption buster” status whilst Nkambule would come in handy in cracking the whip on government on behalf of the people.

“This is wrong. The MPs are out of order. Bennett is not proper to be a senator. Recently, he was at Mgungundlovu on a mission to de-campaign Hlobsile (Ndlovu) and Lutfo (Dlamini) when at the same time the King was honouring him with a medal at Hospital Hill through the Prime Minister. Such a person obviously does not deserve a seat in Senate,” said Magongo.

The football administrator turned pastor further disclosed that Mfomfo Nkambule should not be voted into Senate because of his political affiliations.

“Nkambule publicly declared that he is a member of a political party. Now, one of the duties of legislators is to protect the institution of the monarch. How is Mfomfo going to protect the monarchy when he in a political party?,” he said.

Nkambule said this is the opinion of Magongo and there is nothing he can do about it. “In politics you learn to respect other people’s opinions and if Magongo doesn’t know this, then we must welcome him to politics. I’m however honoured that some MPs recognise that I can make a commendable contribution if elected into senate,” he said.

Bennett was chairing council meeting when called last night.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=47300&section=main