MBABANE:Prince Sihlangusemphi, the then Minister of Economic Planning and Development said he doesn’t understand why a Member of Parliament (MP) has been described as someone who challenged the King on cannabis as no one can challenge the absolute Monarch.
The sentiments of the Prince come at the time when the government was trying to convince the world that eSwatini was a democratic country with a Constitution and no citizen faces arrest or prosecution for criticizing or challenging the King.
It has been disclosed that the Prince who was commenting on the now controversial multi-billion dagga deal between King Mswati and Stem Holdings that was exposed by this Swaziland News was quoted by the Swazi Observer during an event at Vusweni where royalty donated food parcels under the Prince Sicalo Foundation. He confirmed that the King and government did met the investors for a possible ten (10) year monopoly cannabis license but no agreement was signed. However, the Prince maintained that no one can challenge the King on cannabis.
“It is very unfortunate that an MP has also been described as someone who challenged the King on cannabis. I do not think he could do so because no one can challenge the King” said the Prince when quoted by the Eswatini Observer.
The Prince was referring to Mduduzi ‘Bacede’ Mabuza, the Hosea Member of Parliament(MP) who was arrested and charged for allegedly defeating the ends of justice among others, after he moved a motion that resulted to the suspension of the Prevention of Organized Crime Act(POCA), a law that was allegedly manipulated by the King and government to target dagga farmers.
Wandile Dludlu, the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) said anyone who cannot be challenged or corrected is a dictator.
“The sentiments of the of Prince confirms the characteristics of a dictator because anyone who can’t be challenged or corrected is a dictator” said the PUDEMO Secretary General.
Saladin Magagula, the Chairman of the Eswatini Cannabis Association (ECA) when speaking to this publication earlier said as association, they believe the cannabis farming should be legalized for the benefit of the people not few individuals.
On or around 25thMarch 2019, Adam Berk, the Stem Holdings Chief Executive Officer(CEO) confirmed in a report and or a press release that his company, through a Joint Venture with Profile Solutions had received preliminary approval to become the only licensed growing farm and processing plant for medical cannabis and industrial hemp in eSwatini for a period of ten (10) years.
“Stem Holdings Inc. is pleased to announce it has executed a definitive agreement dated March 22, 2019 to acquire South African Ventures Inc. SAV has a joint venture with Profile Solutions and a working capital surplus of approximately $11 million. The JV has received preliminary approval to become the only licensed growing farm and processing plant for medical cannabis and industrial hemp in The Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland) for a minimum of 10 years” said Adam Berk, in an article that was also published by the Cannabis Business Times.
King Mswati