MANZINI – As the national elections draw closer, political parties have joined the fray in calling for the voting into office of the prime minister.
The political parties had met during the Political Assembly’s commemoration of the 1973 Decree, which banned political parties in the country.
The commemoration was held at The George Hotel yesterday afternoon and it was organised by the political assembly which consists of  the proscribed political entity, People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), NNLC and Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA).
The Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) President, Alvit Dlamini, who was first to speak during the commemoration, as he delivered the background on what led to the banning of political parties in the country, said they were happy that Member of Parliament (MP), Phila Buthelezi reminded the country about what the people of Swaziland wanted.
He said this was because the statement made by the MP in parliament mid last year, that Swazis should have a say in the appointment of the PM, was exactly what was said during Sibaya (people’s parliament), a body which was supreme than parliament, according to the constitution.
“We thank him for openly reminding the country what the people want regarding the appointment of the PM,” the NNLC president said.
It is worth noting that the MP later withdrew the statement and later apologised to Their Majesties, parliament and the nation at large.
Dlamini said during Sibaya, the consensus was that the PM should be elected by the people as opposed to what was currently happening, where the candidate was appointed by the King.
He said it was, however, painful that after his submissions, the MP was accused of treason, yet he was only repeating the decision taken by Sibaya.
On that note, the president said ignoring the decision of Sibaya had led to the country to having a group of proxies instead of Cabinet.
“There is no Cabinet in the country but a group of proxies.”