Story by Phumlani Dlamini

Lobamba- Beside the fact that it was short notice, it was also difficult to attend a meeting without an agenda.

These are the submissions that were made by well know activist who is also part of the proscribed People’s United Democratic Movement Mphandlana Shongwe when asked why he was not part of yesterday’s meeting at the Lobamba Royal Kraal. Speaking to the Times of Swaziland, the activist stated that besides the fact that it was short notice, it was also difficult to attend a meeting without an agenda.

The people of Eswatini woke up on Monday (18 June 2018) with the news that the nation has been summoned to gather at the Ludzidzini Royal Kraal. No one among Emaswati was aware why His Majesty summoned the nation but speculation were that he (King Mswati III) wanted to dissolve the 10th parliament as it normally happens during the years of election in the country.

The nation gathered yesterday at the royal kraal where his Majesty King Mswati III on his 20 minutes speech announced that he called the meeting to dissolve the current parliament.

According to the Times of Swaziland, well known unionists and activists did not attend the meeting with some unionist submitting that the meeting was short notice while others voiced out that they had some business to take care of. Others voiced out that they had foreseen a situation where they would not be given an opportunity to voice their concerns.

In the 2016 the Trade Union of Swaziland submitted that Sibaya is not their forum to address union issues as they need to be substantiated by reports. The union made this submittion when they were asked why they will not attend Sibaya as a unified force.