By Zweli Martin Dlamini
Africa-Press – Eswatini. When King Mswati appeared with visiting Taiwan Foreign Minister and Special Envoy Lin Chia-Lung, launching the controversial R5.2billion Strategic Oil Reserve Project despite resistance from some Members of Parliament(MPs), it became clear who is the ‘boss’ this country.
King Mswati rules eSwatini as an absolute Monarchy, the three(3) arms of Government being the Executive(Cabinet), Parliament and the Judiciary are just formalities as decisions are taken at Lozitha Palace.
In fact, this country was once ruled without a Parliament after King Sobhuza banned political parties and assumed absolute authority while intensifying a crackdown on leaders of then opposition party, the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC).
Therefore, any MP who thinks his opinion matters in this country is dreaming, there’s only one man who is allowed to think here and his name is King Mswati, an absolute Monarch.
As a result, elections under the Tinkhundla undemocratic system of governance were introduced to pool the wool in the eyes of the international community so that, it could appear as if, eSwatini is ruled by a Monarchy under a democratic constitutional order.
But the truth is, since the banning of political parties, the institution of the Monarchy has been reigning supreme and, with absolute authority.
Parliament was, since the introduction of the 1973 Decree, reduced into a rubber-stamp institution that promotes the interests of the institution of the Monarch, those absolute powers were subsequently inherited by thee current King, with an unlimited desire for looting and/or corruption.
King Mswati’s word automatically becomes the law in this country and in fact, his word is more superior than the law because no Judge can overrule the King or challenge his authority.
Challenging the authority of the King or questioning his decisions even if the decisions are of corrupt nature, is not only prohibited in terms of Customary law but, regarded as act of committing political suicide.
In this regard and as the situation stands, the R5.2billion Strategic Oil Reserve will dig deeper into the pockets of the poor citizens but, the boss has spoken and, Parliament cannot stop or overrule ‘the mouth that speaks no lies’.
But it’s pity to note that in this country, we have a man whose word automatically becomes the law, State institutions are expected to promote his business interests at the expense of the poor masses.
Eswatini has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line but, we are seeing the launch of multibillion projects that will benefit Mswati and his corrupt syndicate of capitalists.
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