LOBAMBA: Hosea Member of Parliament(MP) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza accused King Mswati of violating the Constitution when appointing Cleopas Dlamini as the new Prime Minister.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, the Hosea MP said the appointment of the PM was in complete violation of the Constitution that stipulates that the King shall appoint a Prime Minister among the members of the House.
“The Constitution says the King shall appoint a member of the House but your order paper now Mr Speaker suggests that we are here to swear in a Prime Minister who is not a member of the House. If the argument is that he was actually appointed on Thursday before Sibaya, where was he sworn in to be a member of the House?” the Hosea MP asked.
Responding to the MP’s submissions, Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo said before the announcement was made during Sibaya, there was already an instrument signed by the King appointing Cleopas Dlamini as a member of the House.
“The King appointed Cleopas Sipho Dlamini to be a member of this House on Thursday, the 15th July” ,said the Attorney General.
The Prime Minister was appointed in the midst of a political crisis and growing calls for democratic reforms. According to human rights organizations and leaders of political parties, dozens have been killed, over 200 were injured after the King unleashed soldiers on unarmed civilians.
Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini(pic: Gov)