Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Leadership Code of Conduct Bill, 2025 should not be seen to be doing away with Eswatini Law and Customs.
This concern was expressed by senators during their sensitisation workshop on the Leadership Code of Conduct Bill, 2025. The workshop was held at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini.
The senators stated that they understood that the Leadership Code of Conduct Bill, 2025 was meant to safeguard public resources against corrupt people. However, the Bill should not be seen to be doing away with the way of living of Emaswati.
The senators said Emaswati were known as generous people, such that the act of giving had long been incorporated into the way of life of Emaswati. It would be unfortunate for such an act to be seen as an act of corruption.
Another custom that was discussed at length was that of Kwetfula. This is an act of gifting a person who is considered as important in society, such as a king, a queen mother, or a Chief.
Senator Prince Mphatfwa said the custom of kwetfula has been in existence for a very long time among Emaswati. People such as chiefs had been living by this custom for a long time now and there was nothing wrong with it.
The senator, who is also a chief, said it would be unfortunate that such a custom would be wiped out by the Bill, yet these two could co-exist. He pleaded for the legislation to be clear where it stood with customs such as kwetfula and gifting in general.
Deputy Senate President Ndumiso Mdluli also pleaded with the Ministry of Justice and the entire Government to protect these customs. Mdluli said sometimes, a person would be invited as a guest speaker at an event and be given a certain gift. It would be odd not to receive such a gift.
Senator Princess Ntfombiyenkhosi appreciated the opportunity for them to be sensitised on this Bill and she expressed hope that public funds would be safeguarded. She wished for the finest of this Bill to be increased from E25 000 to at least E50 000.
In response, John Mavuso, who is a legal adviser in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, said gifting and kwetfula were customs that were going to be protected by this law. Mavuso mentioned that these customs were specified in the Bill and it was going to be difficult for them to be abused.
Mavuso also advised that a person who would be wrongly charged in this law had a right to appeal at the High Court. This was a response to Senator Inkhosikati LaMavimbela, who wanted to know what happened under such circumstances.
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