Africa-Press – Eswatini. “I Prince Simelane do swear that I will be faithful and bear allegiance to His Majesty King Mswati III, his heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
This is the oath of allegiance that the prince,who was the first of the 69 Members of Parliament (MPs), took yesterday marking the start of the 12th parliament.
The swearing in as prescribed by section 128 of the Constitution and set out in the Second Schedule, lasted for over two hours.
The first sitting resumed at 1000 hours after the MPs were oriented, as per the first order paper.
The first agenda of the Order Paper was the summoning of the MPs to read to them the notice in terms of Standing Order 5. Then the names of the MPs, both elected and appointed, were called before they were sworn-in and took the oath of allegiance.
Section 7 of the Standing Orders stated that the House of Assembly shall, when all the members who are present had been sworn-in, in terms of Standing Order No. 5, the clerk shall act as its chairperson.
However, this is subject to the speaker being elected by the members after meeting the quorum.
It was a day with clear skies and temperatures as high as 27 degrees Celsius with some of the MPs clad in traditional regalia whereas others were in formal wear.
Others came with their spouses, family members and relatives as if to watch them from the public gallery if indeed it was confirmed that they were legislators expected for the next five years. Each name was called, starting first with the 10 MPs who were appointed by His Majesty King Mswati III, who included Prince Lindani before proceeding to the MPs-elect.
Appointment
The appointment of the 10 MPs was in accordance with Section 95(1) (b) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini, 2005 which related to the composition of the House of Assembly.
Prince Simelane, who took the first oath was followed by Princess Lindiwe, Chief Mshengu and Nkosingumenzi Dlamini as the first four before it proceeding to the MPs elect.
Others were Tsembeni Magongo, Prince Lindani, Chief Mvimbi Matse, Chief Ngalokhulu Mabuza, former minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo and former minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Thulisile Dladla.
Their names were read in terms of Standing Order 6, by the Attorney General Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo and they were then sworn-in.
Among the MPs elect were the incoming Hhukwini MP, Alec Lushaba, former managing editor of Eswatini Financial Times, who was the first among them.
There were also interesting others who bring with them the diversity of the House of Assembly taking the similar oath.
These included two other journalists in Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini, and Mntfongwaneni MP nathi Mdockies Hlophe, former Deputy Prime Minister’s Office director of gender, who is now the Mbabane West MP, Jane Mkhonta, Siphofaneni MP Nomalungelo ‘LaZwide’ Simelane, Hosea MP Sifiso Mabuza and his elder brother Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza who is the Pigg’s Peak MP.
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