Swazi Observer

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KING APPOINTS 20 INTO SENATE

By SIMON SHABANGU AND SIBONGILE SUKATI | 2023-11-06

The 12th Parliament is now complete.
This follows the appointment of 20 senators by His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday after much anticipation.

This now brings the total number of senators to 30.
A total of eight women were appointed by the King following an announcement made by the Attorney General and acting Ludzidzini Governor Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence.

One of the new notable members is former chief executive officer of the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) Prince Lonkhokhela and Princess Temaswati who is lizinyane to the King.
Another new addition is Prince Ngangabani, Inkhosikati Gelane Dlamini (laMavimbela) and Chief Jozane Maziya.

Businesswoman Savannah Maziya who is based in South Africa has also been appointed, including Stuckie Motsa who runs the Stuckie Motsa Foundation which cares for people with albinism.

The 20 will join the 10 senators who were elected by the House of Assembly over three weeks ago under a cloud of controversy where many people claimed that the seats were bought by some candidates which was described as a corrupt act.

However, although the matter was reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the police, no action as yet has been taken.

Princess Ncengencenge has also been appointed a senator and the previous position she held was that of a member of Liqoqo.

During the 10th Parliament, she was appointed as a member of the House of Assembly.
Former minister of finance Neal Rijkenberg had a few words to say when asked about his appointment; “Bayethe Wena Waphakathi! I look forward to serving my King and country,” he said.

Seven Parliamentarians bounce back
His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday reappointed seven Parliamentarians who were part of the 11th Parliament.

These include Princess Ntfombiyenkosi, Prince Mphatfwa, Qethuka Dlamini, Chief Mvimbi Matse, Lindiwe Dlamini-Gwebu and Isaac Magagula.
Gwebu is the former Senate president.

Others who are back in Parliament are Rijkenberg, former minister of public works and transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza.

Chief Mvimbi was initially appointed as one of the appointees of the House of Assembly, but it is assumed that he will swap with newly-appointed Prime Minister Russell Dlamini.

Six chiefs appointed
into senate
A total of six chiefs have been appointed into senate.
These include Prince Gcokoma who also doubles as a chief, Prince Mphatfwa of Ludlawini and Chief Zabeni Shiba.

Also appointed is former minister of public works and transport chief Ndlaluhlaza, Chief Mvimbi Matse of Mambane and Chief Jozane Maziya from KaLanga.

Former PM and
DPM left out
It’s a clear sign that the next Cabinet will have some new faces as the former PM Cleopas Dlamini and former deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku were not included in the list of 20 appointees.
Also left out from the 2013 list are former senators Sylvia Mthethwa, Vuka Moi Moi Masilela, Prince Hlangabeza and Princess Phumelele.

Princess Sikhanyiso’s stint as a Cabinet minister has for now ended along with the former minister of sports, culture and youth affairs Harries Bulunga.

eight women appointed into senate
The King has appointed nine women into the Senate.

This however means that the House of Assembly will have to elect four regional women to make the constitutionally required 30 per centum.

In order for the women not to be elected the King was to appoint at least 13 of them.
The appointed women include former Senate president Lindiwe Dlamini, Princess Ncengencenge, Princess Temaswati and Princess Ntfombiyenkosi.

The rest are Inkhosikati Gelane Dlamini, Stukie Motsa, Pholile Dlamini and Savannah Maziya.
In 2018, the King appointed the same number of women in to the senate chamber.
In total there are now 13 female senators, including the five who were elected by the House of Assembly.
These are Lizzie Nkosi, Fezeka Dlamini, Lindiwe Ngwenya, Lorraine Nxumalo and Linda Nxumalo.

Swearing-in today
for senators and PM
The appointed and elected senators are expected to be in their Sunday Best this morning as they will be formally sworn-in today.

This is according to a press statement issued by Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba.
Xaba said Parliament business resumes today at 10am at the Senate chamber.
“It is the swearing of both the elected and appointed senators and the election of the Senate president,” reads the statement.

Implored
Xaba implored the legislators to keep time at the Senate chambers.
According to the statement in the dress code, the legislators are expected to be dressed in their formal business attire (dark suits and neck-tie for men and formal business suits for women or traditional regalia.)

“Their guests must also be dressed in either formal attire or traditional attire if they desire to watch from the gallery,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Assembly Jabulani Mabuza has announced the swearing-in of the newly-appointed PM, who will be sworn-in this afternoon at 2:30pm in the House of Assembly.

Double appointment for Chief Mvimbi
Mambane Chief Mvimbi Matse has found himself doubly appointed as both Senator and Member of Parliament.

Over a month ago Matse was sworn -in as a Member of Parliament after being appointed by the King into the House of Assembly.
However, it is believed as per precedent Matse will be moved from the House of Assembly to Senate.
The Prime Minister Russell Dlamini will replace Chief Mvimbi Matse in the senate.

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