MBABANE: Cleopas Dlamini, the Prime Minister of Eswatini who was appointed by King Mswati in complete violation of the Constitution has urged pro-democracy activists to follow the Constitution.
Speaking during a press conference on Friday, the unelected Prime Minister described the Constitution as a document that should be respected by everyone, however, the same Supreme Law elevated King Mswati to be above the law and he has been violating it with impunity.
Section 67(1) of the Constitution suggests that the King shall appoint the Prime Minister from members of the House. However, Mswati violated the Constitution and went on to appoint Dlamini from Senate.
“The King shall appoint the Prime Minister from among members of the House acting on recommendation of the King’s Advisory Council”, reads the Constitution in part.
But the PM, when addressing journalists on Friday urged pro-democracy activists to follow the Constitution when advocating for change.
“We have the Constitution in this country, whatever we do, we must be guided by it”, said the Prime Minister.
Eswatini, a tiny Kingdom situated in Southern Africa is facing growing calls for democratic reforms, however, King Mswati when addressing his regiments declared war against the citizens adding that everything in eSwatini belonged to him. In June 2021, the King allegedly unleashed soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of civilians merely for demanding democratic reforms.
Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini.