By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini and Cabinet Ministers allegedly want to remain behind for at least two(2) months when King Mswati dissolves Parliament on the 11th July 2023.

A Cabinet Minister who spoke to this Swaziland News on Thursday afternoon confirmed that, they were proposing to remain behind as per the norm when the King dissolves Parliament.

“Kona kunjalo, ngicabanga kutsi seyifakiwe noma isatofakwa eNkhosini,kodvwa tsine ngalana sesibhungile nje sodvwana. Ngeke bese Hulumende usala alenga, kumele sihambe after ema-Primary elections, bese-ke kungena lona wase-King’s Office uhlala inyanga yinye sekungena Hulumende-ke lomusha(meaning: We have discussed that proposal among ourselves to remain behind and it will be communicated to the King, I’m not sure if it has been communicated already.It won’t be proper for Government to be without leadership, we must remain at least until after Primary Elections.Then the King’s Office will take over for one(1) month, then the next Government will take over),” said the Cabinet Minister whose name cannot be revealed for ethical reasons.

A questionnaire was sent to Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

It is highly expected that Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) in the King’s Office will assume the position of Acting Prime Minister when the King dissolves Parliament and subsequently, Cabinet Ministers including the current Prime Minister(PM). 

Responding to a questionnaire from this Swaziland News on the subject matter,King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said when it comes to political responsibilities such as this one, the King adheres to the provisions of the Constitution.

The King’s Spokesperson said after the dissolution of Parliament, a Council of Ministers remains behind until further notice.

“Our experience is that when it comes to political responsibilities such as this one, the King goes by the Constitution and not by Ministerial proposals or opinions.  When the king disengages Parliament a Council of Ministers remains active until further notice where all of them are dispersed.We are not aware of any official departure from this norm,” said the King’s Spokesperson on Thursday afternoon.