By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Barnes Dlamini, the Chairperson of the Institute for Democracy and Leadership(IDEAL) says it was disappointing to learn that Member of Parliament(MP) Marwick Khumalo has been ordered not to travel to the United States(US)for the Leadership Program.

MP Khumalo was allegedly threatened and subsequently blocked by King Mswati from travelling to the US after he expressed his views inside Parliament in support of democratic reforms.

Reacting to an article published by this Swaziland News on Saturday, Dlamini who is part of the eSwatini delegation that is in the US for the Program said they were hoping that the Program would give all parties an opportunity to engage on the challenges affecting the country.

“We’re all taken aback by the sudden reaction by Government because we were hoping that this program would give all the parties an opportunity to engage and reflect on the lessons which we would have learnt together. The lessons would have assisted us all on the present challenges in eSwatini. We’re overly disappointed in Government\'s reaction and conduct”,he said.

Reached for comment earlier, Stephanie Sandoval, the Spokesperson of the Embassy of the United States Eswatini said they have been in touch with the Government on the issue and referred this publication to the eSwatini Government for further comments.

“We’ve been in touch with the Eswatini Government and we refer any questions to them,” she said.

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

Reached for comments, MP Marwick Khumalo confirmed that a royal command was issued for him not to attend the Leadership Program.

“Yes, it’s true”, said the MP briefly when responding to a questionnaire from this Swaziland News.

Parliament insiders told this publication that MP Marwick Khumalo was supposed to fly to the US on Friday, together with Senator Mkhululi Dlamini, Princess Tsandzile, journalists and officials from the Elections and Boundaries Commission(EBC).

Others who travelled to the United States(US) this week for the same Leadership Program include Barnes Dlamini from the Institute for Democracy and Leadership(IDEAL), Mfankhona Nkambule(Times journalist) and lawyer Mary DaSilva from the Multi-Stakeholder Forum among others.

“A command was issued on Thursday night that Khumalo and others must not dare fly to the US,kutsitiwe uma bahamba batobuya kulabo live. The command was actually targeting Khumalo on fears that he might speak issues of democracy in that country like Magawugawu who is in the UK lobbying British MPs to take action against the country,” said a Parliament insider.

Efforts to reach Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba who allegedly communicated the command proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

The International Visitors Leadership Program(IVLP)offered by the US has benefitted many Swazis, MPs Phila Buthelezi and Thulie Dladla who serve as Cabinet Ministers are among the beneficiaries.

It has been disclosed that after receiving the order from the Clerk to Parliament, MP Marwick Khumalo tried to defy the order and travelled to the United States(US) but the threats against him allegedly from Mswati intensified hence he was forced to cancel his flight at the O.R Tambo International Airport on Friday.

Reached for comments, lawyer Mary DaSilva of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum who was part of the eSwatini team that was travelling with MP Marwick Khumalo confirmed that the Legislator had to cancel his trip while at O R Tambo International Airport.

“Confirmed.He turned back at O.R Tambo,” read a message sent by the lawyer when responding to a questionnaire from this publication.