LOBAMBA- His Majesty King Mswati III reportedly ‘commanded’ Parliament to focus on Bills.
Yesterday Senate had an unusual sitting as it is common knowledge that it does not normally do business on Tuesdays as it is a day in which Cabinet sits. Senate President, Gelane Zwane, described yesterday as special.
In an interview she said the King had ordered that all laws with a potential of saving the economy be prioritised and be dealt with prior to His Majesty going into seclusion anytime now.
"The King said all these laws must be done so that he signs them before going into seclusion. These same laws will determine what the Appropriation Bill will look like when we budget next year. The King said all laws that would help government generate revenue must be passed in preparation for the budget," she said.
Prior to the interview, inside chambers, she came down hard on Cabinet for apparently disregarding the royal command.
Zwane who is also KoNtshingila acting Chief was infuriated by the absence of some ministers yet they were quite aware that they were instructed to drop everything else.
Only the Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku and Finance Minister Majozi Sithole were present at the start of the session.
The president accused Cabinet of practising double standards after allegedly rushing to tell the King that everything was at a standstill as no laws were being passed in Parliament.
A week ago the prime minister lamented that parliamentarians were seemingly snubbing enacting laws but spent much time moving motions yet it is not their core business.
"I do not understand the absence of ministers. I know it is Tuesday but this is a very special one. Everything comes to a standstill, everything. This is a command. I am surprised. I object to this very strongly," she said.
Even an explanation from Masuku that the ministers were on their way from other commitments did not appease her.
She said ministers did not waste any time but dropped everything to attend a sitting in the other chamber under the same command.
The president said it is apparent that Senate is looked down upon.
"Your explanation does not hold water, not at all. There is no justification. You even emphasised that it was a command. You had no decency to come to the office of the president to explain yourself. Then I would have understood not to come and find empty seats, especially when most of you (Cabinet) are senators," she said.
Zwane added, "You are supposed to report to me. You are still senators."
She said she has an oversight role to play over senators serving in Cabinet.(Extract taken from www.times.co.sz)
