BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
LOBAMBA – “This is the first test of these honourable members of this house,”
These were the words of Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba when speaking to Members of Parliament before they began the process of electing senators for today.
“We are grateful for your nomination of the 35 candidates. I must say that out of the 35, this is the moment to elect the ten senators,” prefaced Xaba when orienting the MPs on the elections of senators.
The Clerk to Parliament also joked that there should be no Member of Parliament who is not able to speak because they have their mouths stuffed with bribes.
He further encouraged those who will not be elected to know that their time is still coming, quoting from the bible how rejection is a necessary step towards some achievements.
“To be a good leader, I would encourage you not to be stuck on today’s decision, but to move on,” said Xaba.
Xaba also confirmed that all the candidates passed the vetting process, whereby only one candidate voluntarily pulled out of the elections.
“I hereby tender my withdrawal and revocation of my confirmation letter for senate elections,” read the letter from Bhutana Dlamini, who pulled out of the elections for the senate.
According to the Constitution of Eswatini, the House of Assembly has to elect 5 female senators and five male senators, whereby His Majesty King Mswati III elects the remaining 20 senators.
