MBABANE: Human Rights Lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi has warned that police National Commissioner William Dlamini was acting outside his legal duties by exercising powers of Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini by issuing national directives in the midst of the COVID-19.
When asked to share his legal comment after the Police National Commissioner was seen exercising Executive powers giving directives on measures that should be taken in the midst of the COVID-19 out-break, the lawyer said such duties should be exercised by the Deputy Prime Minister.
“The National Commissioner is now acting outside his powers, this is was we call ultra-viresin legal terms, because what he is doing doesn’t fall within the scope of his duties or powers. It was supposed to be the prime Minister who announce these new developments. If the PM was not capable for one reason or the other, the Minister responsible for disasters should have come to the picture, that being the Deputy Prime Minister. As you see in South African for example, the President gives direction and make these announcements, then the Ministers are responsible for implementation” said the Human Rights Lawyer.
Acting Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini told the Times of Swaziland the PM went into self-isolation after one of his security officers tested positive.
“For the past two days, the PM was working from home in isolation while waiting for his results which came back last night negative” the Acting government Spokesperson was quoted by the Times.
The police boss resumed his questionable Executive powers when he announced that the Manzini town will be shut-down in complete violations of the COVID-19 Regulations that empowers the PM to make such declarations.
“We send a strong warning to all those who are continuing to host parties, particularly at night. It doesn’t matter the number of people on the party, we will arrest on spot all those who continue to defy. We will be visible during the day and night” said the National Commissioner.

Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini