By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane, an influential Member of Parliament(MP) who is critical of King Mswati and his oppressive government has been removed as a Legislator.

The MP who was elected by the people of Siphofaneni in the eastern parts of eSwatini was leading the calls for democratic reforms in Parliament, two of his colleagues Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube who were also critical of Mswati were thrown behind bars.

Mswati rules eSwatini as an absolute Monarch with Executive, Judicial and Legislative powers, he is above the Constitution and his word automatically becomes the ‘law’.

Reached for comments, MP Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane confirmed receiving information that he had been removed as an MP but clarified that he was still consulting with his legal team.

“I am aware that I’ve been removed as an MP and this confirms that this evil government is not ready for a dialogue. However, I am still consulting my legal team on the next move because this is very critical issue”, he said.

Speaker in the House of Assembly  Petros Mavimbela failed to respond to our questions, seeking clarity why the MP was removed. 

But on Monday, the Speaker officially declared that Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane had been removed as an MP.

Simelane who allegedly skipped the country had been absent from Parliament after the State issued a warrant of arrest against him, the State accused him of Terrorism after he started to be critical of Mswati’s regime.

It has been disclosed that the Speaker used the Constitution and  removed the MP on the basis that he was absent from the House for several days. 

But other pro-democracy MPs questioned the Speaker and asked if efforts were made to contact MP Simelane before being removed.

Reached for comments, Wandile Dludlu, the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said the removal of the MP confirms their long standing position that under the current political system, Parliament had no powers.

”You can’t remove, harass or arrest an MP for speaking on behalf of the people because that is what he was elected for. We all know that MP Simelane did not abscond from Parliament but was forced by circumstances not to attend sittings. However, just because he was speaking things that did go down well with those in power, he has been removed”, said the PUDEMO Secretary General.