By Wendy Magagula

LOBAMBA: Phila Buthelezi, the Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly has warned the United States Embassy to stay out of eSwatini politics.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, the Matsanjeni North Member of Parliament(MP) who once demanded an elected Prime Minister in his Parliament submissions but later apologized to King Mswati said Swazis must be allowed to sort their political problems through the Sibaya forum. 

“We need to use Sibaya as the the right forum to discuss our issues so that we can come up with solutions”, said the Deputy Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker then warned Members of Parliament(MPs) to be careful and be responsible when speaking in Parliament.

The sentiments of the Matsanjeni MP came after the US Embassy issued a statement on Monday 26th July 2021 condemning the arrest of MPs Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni  Dube.

“The U.S Embassy is deeply troubled by the arrest of two Members of Parliament, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube. The people of Eswatini have the constitutional right to be heard through, and represented by, their own freely chosen representatives in Parliament. The suppression of the right of individuals-including Members of Parliament to freely express their opinions is unacceptable. We call on the authorities to exercise transparency in the application of the law and to respect and protect human rights, despite political differences. We will continue to engage contacts at all levels of government and across civil society, and reiterate our call for an honest, constructive dialogue with all stakeholders at the table”. read the statement issued by the US Embassy.

Reached for comments, Brian Sangweni, the Spokesperson of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said it was disappointing to hear an elected MP uttering such sentiments when the people made it clear that they wanted democracy.

“It is very unfortunate that these sentiments came from Buthelezi who once demanded an elected Prime Minister within Parliament but later apologized to the authorities due to political pressure, he has proven to be a coward. Actually, we thank the pro-democracy MPs who were arrested while pushing the interests of the people not those who protect their own interests once they are in Parliament”, said the PUDEMO Spokesperson.