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.
What can be said of the country’s 2008 general elections in terms of the Rules and Regulations as adopted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) ? The chairman of the Zimbabwean Elections Commission (ZEC) was here to observe the secondary elections on September 19, 2008.
One wonders what he learnt from the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) and the elections process. Swazis must not be fooled by the Draft Observer Mission statement and some declarations that the elections were free and fair. In fact, this statement is now misused to say there was no violence. At the same time, these observers are aware that they are in the country courtesy of the ruling elite, hence careful what they release, while still in the conutry.
Therefore, Swazis must read the observer mission statement not drafts. Then, to declare elections free and fair, one must know many issues and processes, including registration, campaigning, polling conditions/stations, voting times, polling officers, campaigning, polling stationery/security, atmosphere, counting of votes, etc. It must be noted that on September 19, five (5) Tinkhundla centres did not vote because of the Court judgement. In fact, more than 10 areas had challenged the nominations and primary elections citing irregularities. Although the constitution came into operation in July, 2005, the EBC was only appointed early in 2008 to prepare and run the elections the same year.
Why the authourities waited that long to act on the appointment of EBC, God knows. The EBC was ill-prepared to run the elections, hence the so many problems and court hearings connected with the elections. The legality of the EBC is questionable to date. The registration was reported to be in excess of 350 000 and those who cast their votes for the eventual winners, the MPs, are about 80 000, indicating that it will be less that 100 000 when all Tinkhundla centres have cast their votes. It was reported that in some areas, people registered more than once, under 18 years registered and wrong people registered. Were the observers aware of these anomalies? What was the role of poverty in the voting by the electorate?
Trauma
It appears the campaigning was based on the politics of the stomach and not on the ideology and philosophy of governance. The would-be voters were literally given money, groceries and foodstuff, promised Heaven and Earth for voting that individual candidate. Many candidates, if not all, used these unorthodox ways of campaigning. Some of these candidates used these wrong campaigning ways due to ignorance of the law governing the running of elections. There are those who spent more than their initial budgets because they thought these were the right approaches of campaigning. The trauma and suffering caused by this to these candidates are a result of an ineffective EBC. Both the Attorney General’s office and EBC did not reprimand the wrong doers or protect these poverty stricken voters. It is surprising that both offices are now shedding crocodile tears about the illegal campaigning. How can they retrack the wrong created at campaigning and eventually doing something to the winning candidates? These problems will be with the 9th Parliament and hope that EBC and Attorney General Offices will in future be proactive, thus discouraging the wrong being done from the very beginning. The reputation of the 9th Parliament has been put to test by the so many bribing for votes, as reported. Does this pressure of wanting to be a Member of Parliament calling for killing people and or sacrificing so much?
Both the Elections Order 1992 and the Constitution 2005 are against these ways of campaigning for a political office. What is the main purpose of being a Member of Parliament, legislation or employment? So much has been said about voting people to go to Parliament to form our government. At least, this is, what the Swazis are told by those who care or employed to encourage other Swazis to register and vote or being voted for. Others used the television and radio talkshows supported by EBC, all preaching the gospel of voting to form our government. In other words, to usher in the people’s government. Interestingly, when does this government formed by our elected MPs become the king’s government?
Is it when climbing up Malangwane or going down this hill? Why don’t we mention this from the very beginning that the elections are about helping the king form his government? In fact, I have never seen any document talking about the government of the people of Swaziland. Therefore, the talk- shows and slogans have been misleading and painting a false picture about our elected MPs.
However, in order for elections to be observed there are certain laws that must be in place. These are the Rules, Regulations and Principles which are supported by the constitution itself within the framework, in our case, of SADC and AU Rules, Regulations and Principles. The constitution of the country must have the Bill of Rights, thus allowing Freedom of Association, including political association and activities. Therefore, elections by their nature are contested by both individuals and associations. In Swaziland, this is restricted to individuals only (Clause 79 of the Constitution) and thus limiting the said Freedom of Association as enshrined in the constitution. Furthermore, at the appointment of the EBC, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) was not constitutionally constituted. JSC is responsible for advice to the appointment of EBC. The composition of EBC, is not constitutional constituted. Even though, EBC had this axe hanging over its head, continued to conduct the 2008 general elections. This also shows that the elections, were run under unconjusive conditions and observers’ deliberately ignored this.
Wrongs
On the elections date, I privately observed four Tinkhundlas. Before this, it must be noted that the voter registration had numerous problems; children below 18 registered, duplicate and multi registration by certain individuals, registering where people do not reside, etc. Nomination carried without checked voters roll, others nominated even though still public officers, voter cards at times never checked, etc. Primary elections faced by many problems and candidates went to Court for some of the problems.
Returning, presiding and polling officers were not properly trained for conducting the elections, hence the so many wrongs in the elections process. Five Tinkhundla secondary elections were not run on September 19, 2008 because of court rulings. All these happenings are suggesting that the elections fell short of being called free and fair. On the polling date, I went to two Tinkhundla centers from the rural and two urban areas. The conduct of the polling; one opened at 7:50am instead of 7am, pictures of the voters in the voters roll not clear, no signs leading to polling room, one still displayed campaign pictures of candidates outside the gate, some polling officers seem not sure of their duties, no uniformity of operations, etc. The polling atmosphere; presence of police officers was adequate not intimidating, some still asked would be voters to vote for their choice in the lines or towards the polling room, other polling stations did not have adequate lights or lighting system, etc. Participating at polls; only saw one with long lines in the rural areas, government provided some transport, some candidates transported would be their supporters with the pictures on these vehicles, etc. Generally, there were no disturbing incidencies in the polling stations, I visited. Because of the absence of many items in the elections, it is very difficult to say that they were free and fair according to known principles of running elections in a modern society, of which mother Swaziland claims to be one. While still waiting for the full tabulation of the elections, one can conclude that many people showed up in the primary elections and shunned the secondary ones. What could have been the reasons for this trend?
This would probably be a challenge to EBC and the authorities of the country that something must be done to enhance the purpose and Rationale of conducting the elections. Now that the elections campaigns have been contaminated by non-Tinkhundla philosophy - ‘vote for me’, thus suppressing Tinkhundla’s ‘quiet campaign’, what is left of its value? Has money become the only tool to make one win the elections? If so, how will the 69 percent of our society ever be MPs?
This practice needs to be arrested in order to avoid untold stories. In a multi party system, campaign funds are controlled and monitored. If the Tinkhundla operation is not careful, it will soon create classes of voters and candidates. Because the candidates will be associated with lots of money to provide to the voters all sorts of handouts, including free groceries, foodstuff, alcohol, T-shirts, hard cash, plots, building houses, cars, etc. It must be noted that this society has been schooled into believing in handouts by the state and uncontrolled fund-raising is the way of getting money, even from the very poor ones. Tinkhundla operation will continue to have problems because it fails to provide benchmarks of whatever it wants to do or propose to implement. Anyway, my congratulations to those who lost or won but did not engage the unorthodox ways of campaigning. It takes one or two to set the record straight. Your action will not go unnoticed.
Today I will tackle two burning issues. But before I do that I feel duty-bound to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who bothered to respond, positively I must say, to our open invitation last week to submit your ideal candidate and candidates for PM and Cabinet positions respectively.
It was one way of involving you anyhow and anywhere in our sick politics. I am hopeful that people will understand that the exercise was purely meant for ‘letting off air’ (benitihha-mula nje) and beyond that it will hopefully go a long way in indicating to our leaders what the people out there are thinking. Thanks.
Now, one of the issues I thought I should tackle today involve the recent bomb attack that went terrible wrong. I have no problem with people opting for varying options when dealing with issues that affect them.
However, I have a serious problem when the chosen option by that individual(s)puts emphasis on my life or other people’s lives being in danger. I still doubt or rather not convinced enough that violence can bring change. Instead violence is only capable of forcing change and I doubt if that’s what they or we want as a people.
Accompanied
I am one of those who are fed up with the way we are governed as a people of this country known as Swaziland, but clearly I am very much against violence that in most cases is targeted at innocent people instead of the known problem.
Lawyer Musa Dlamini accompanied by a couple of colleagues from South Africa are said to have attempted to plant a bomb at the Lozitha overhead bridge. For your own information, it’s a couple of metres away from a royal palace. By now, I assume you are aware that the bomb went off and two people in Musa and one Jack Govender were blown, literally.
Musa has been buried. Govender is next. I heard some saying they died in the line of duty. I agree. They died on duty, actually. I have no problem with people dying on duty but I have a problem when they want to drag with them into their graves innocent souls who more often than not are careless about how they are governed or taxed. What matters to them is providing for their children.
I know there are people who will put up the foolish and tired struggle slogan that blood has to be shed during a struggle. You hear bogus agents of political change screaming that for any democratic change there has to be sacrifices, I agree and I insist a sacrifice has to be that, a sacrifice.
Sacrifice
From where I am sitting, I am convinced that Musa, Govender and friends were all out to sacrifice us for the change they so much want. We want it too, but not in exchange of our lives. Who will enjoy the fruits of change if we wipe ourselves out? The bigger question becomes; can killers be trusted with a country?
If people want to achieve change by killing (innocent people) then I feel we are not serious about change. Who will trust people who go around armed with bombs? My major gripe here is why do we go for innocent people?
There are two sides to this in my books, the progressives are wrong, bombing will not solve their issues instead it would make things ugly. The country is also to blame for not attending to some of the issues raised by the progressives.
Arrogance will not help us in the same way foolishness will not make us realise the change we so much want. At first, I thought we wanted to change the political system but now I get the impression we want to change the face of the country. My advice to progressive would be to ‘deal’ with the people who are giving them problems in their view than to rope innocent souls into this.
Deserve
The people who may have died if the Musa/Govender and Co. project went successful are the very same taxpayers that the leaders of a democratic Swaziland of tomorrow would need to rebuild bombed bridges and government structures. What happened to logic?
I would suggest that emacomrades, as they call themselves, go back to the drawing board and digest this nonsense they are engaged in right now. I don’t think we deserve what Musa and Govender were up to.
This then brings me to the other nonsense that came from the mouth of a person I have so much respect for, Isaac Magagula, for the record nothing has changed. By way of life, Isaac is deputy commissioner of police in the country.
I know that big guns do misfire but I would not like to call what Isaac said on the Govender issue this week misfiring. He lost the plot. Isaac announced the ban of Govender’s memorial service citing this and that.
I was hurt to hear such a piece of arrogance and robustness from a man, who in his life as a cop has always showed a humanly side. I suspect Isaac is missing one cap. He has the cop cap, fine, but I think this week he lost his thinking cap. I request the junior Sirs to help uMtfombeni understand that after death there can’t be any meaningful life one can lead, let alone planting bombs, so he must cool down.
Govender is dead and regrettably he died as a suspect bomber not a convicted bomber, so no one knows for sure that the tags that Isaac placed on Govender’s dead body are real.
In Swaziland, unless advised otherwise, you are innocent until proven guilty. Now Isaac has convicted Govender and labelled him all sorts of names. Govender never got a chance to make a confession like the SA man who is currently behind bars, thus it was totally wrong for Isaac to talk like a baby or possessed undertaker.
Curious
This is the same Isaac who defended David Simelane’s protracted court case with his back against the wall. I noted the passion he planted in his defence after we had raised concerns on the delay of the trial. I wonder how he felt talking about a man who confessed to killing over 20 women in the over 30 whose skeletons were found in ajar places to his ‘slaughter house’.
My point Mtfombeni is; if the emotional talk you treated us to when announcing the ban of Governder’s memorial service because of what he died attempting to do in the country is anything to go by, you should have stopped breathing when hearing that David confessed to killing over 20 women for nothing.
Mind you Suthu, David went to an extent to detailing to curious relatives how he lured his victims to his ‘slaughter house’ before killing them. You never banned at least a Sunday lunch for David instead he kept on demanding attention that he got undivided from one Mnguni Simelane. I hope it is the last time I reprimand upright and free thinkers like Isaac. You took things too far here. Instead, you should have ensured security to prevent what you dreamt about the Govender memorial service than this. Thank you Sir.
A coterie of grovellers, knee-bending sycophants and blind loyalists of the obtaining political hegemony are apt to criticise multi-party democracy as divisive and, therefore, not suited for a homogeneous society like the Kingdom of Eswatini.
As I see it, these supporters and loyalists would rather sing or manufacture non-existent virtues of the oppressive Tinkhundla Political System.
Yet when it comes to the nitty-gritty nothing could be further from the truth as mirrored by the recent legislative elections.
What is emerging from the recent legislative elections is the blinding clarity that the Tinkhundla is neither a political ideology nor a political vehicle through which to spur the political transformation and development of the country but a feedlot for those who excel in the art of praise singing and grovelling.
The new children on the block in the form of elected lawmakers have taken this much further by making the entire exercise one of poverty alleviation at a personal and not at national level.
For as I see it the desperation to get to Parliament is no more driven by a political desire to transform the Swazi polity by enacting laws that would be conducive to speeding the economic development of this country than to get out of the vicious cycle of abject poverty visiting the majority of Swazis even if it is just for five years, which is the term of office of the lawmakers.
That is what emerged when I lobotomised the legislative elections. Is it any wonder a good many cases ended up in court?
As I see it, the face of poverty manifested itself either way - in respect of the contesting candidates as well as the electorate. For the majority of the contesting candidates it did not matter much that they displayed a shocking display of intellectual and political malnutrition when it came to real issues that should be the bread and butter issues of a Parliament but were content on shelling out largesse, including financial payments, to buy the votes of the electorate.
And driven by hunger and poverty, the voters were predictable. They voted for those who paid, fed and promised to extricate them from the vicious cycle of poverty that has been bequeathed them by a largely corrupt political system once they are in Parliament. Which brings me to the question if the Tinkhundla political system can compete with the worst system elsewhere because there can be no worse system than this system.
As I see it, those grovellers, knee-bending sycophants and blind loyalists given to damning multi-party democracy even without any empirical evidence that it is the worst form of democracy, do so to ingratiate themselves to the ruling class.
After all, there are still many vacancies that need to be filled in government starting from the legislature itself up to Cabinet level.
So everyone of the soulless unprincipled and spineless individuals given to praise-singing and grovelling are positioning themselves to be easily visible to government so that they are considered for the vacant positions. Invariably this is irrespective of whether they have the skills, experience and most of all requisite qualifications for the positions they aspire to be appointed into.
After all in Tinkhundla territory if a donkey comes begging for a position it would certainly get it only if it has mastered the art of praise singing, grovelling and occasionally lying about some people.
Marwick you’re made for the task
I have grown to respect veteran lawmaker Marwick Thandukukhanya Khumalo as a matured and astute politician. He has in the recent past surprised many when he openly declared that Tinkhundla had failed and now was the time the country considered taking a new political path without as much as saying in as many words.
He capped his growing stature as head of the African Union Pan African Parliament observer mission during Zimbabwe’s general elections at the end of March.
While the Southern African Development Community (SADC) observer mission prematurely declared those elections free and fair, Marwick and his team were much more objective in their assessment and pronounced them to having not been free and fair, especially after it took a whole month to release results for the presidential elections. By breaking ranks, Marwick departed from the African tradition of hiding the truth behind a façade of unity.
As I see it, Marwick represents a new political breed, a generation that was going to transform Africa and just take it by the scruff of the neck and boot her into the 21st century, as Wole Soyinka rightly articulated, on whose shoulders we can safely entrust the future of this country. But to achieve such a milestone needed a million Marwicks to do this on a continental scale.
As I see it, we need about 30 or so Marwicks in the legislature of this the Kingdom of Eswatini to start the political transformation that he and similarly minded individuals would want to see happen here in order to extricate this country from the many man-made disasters it is in.
This is a challenge to Marwick as an old horse in Parliament to lead from both the front and the back to achieve this most desired political transformation to get this country out of the current rot.
The bones will speak on next PM
The Swazi News, the sister newspaper to this one, last Saturday threw down the gauntlet to anyone who cared to help His Majesty King Mswati III to appoint the new Prime Minister and Cabinet of ministers.
As I see it, that might be a little bit premature. This I have surmised from the fact that we are still awaiting the king to first appoint 10 lawmakers to the House of Assembly and 20 to Senate. Then perhaps can we knuckle down to the job of selecting who is who for whatever position?
Adding to this dilemma, as I see it of course, is the fact that only after the lawmakers have been appointed can we get down to the onerous task of consulting the bones on who should occupy the position of the PM first and foremost.
And it is not an easy task considering that often there are five names in the hat contesting for the position, four of which need to be eliminated from the race by day-break.
And this can take the whole night for the bone throwers to accomplish. Perhaps the Swazi News Editor will extend the time period during which we, the public, can assist in the appointment of the PM and make-up of the Cabinet. After all the PM consults with the king on the composition of the Cabinet.
In the meantime, yours truly can be gathering the best bone throwers for the night of the bones when the new PM would be selected.
