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70 individuals appointed into Emabandla at a high cost to the fiscus

 

Eswatini Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo (online picture)

King Mswati III the Head of State of Eswatini on Saturday issued a directive through the Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo appointing around 70 individuals into several national committees, also known as Emabandla. The appointments come more than a month after the term of office of the previous Emabandla’s term of office came to an end and their term in office was extended indefinitely by the King through a gazette issued by the Attorney General.

The several Emabandla announced are as follows, Board of Trustees (7), the Minerals Management Board (7) , Ludzidzini Council (20), Civil Service Commission (5) , Liqoqo Council (20), the Land Management Board (5) and the Teaching Service Commission (5). The National Chief Defence Officer was also announced.

The newly appointed Board of Trustees members are as follows: Neal Rikjernberg (Finance Minister and Chairperson), Princess Tiyandza, Chief Ndabankulu Simelane, Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze (Kings Office CEO and ex-officio), Martin Gobizandla Dlamini, Moses Hlophe, Rev. Grace Masilela.

The newly appointed members of the Minerals Management Board (MMB) are as follows; Prince Guduza, Princess Temtsimba, Jacob Mabandla Manzini, Sihle Yvone Mashaba, Sibusiso Ntshalintshali, Gideon Phungu Gumedze, Noah Nhleko (Commissioner of Mines and Secretary to the Board).

The newly appointed members of the Ludzidzini Council are as follows; Indvuna Themba Ginindza (Chairperson) ,Prince Majaha,Princess Lomajuba, Princess Elizabeth, Princess Dzadza, Prince Phuhlaphi, Prince Nhlonipho (Secretary) , Chief Mshikashika Ngcamphalala, Chief Maphaphela Mabuza, Induna Mangomeni Ndzimandze, Mhlambanyatsi Dlamini, Mathendele Dlamini, Sobantu dlamini, Rev Smason Mhlanga, Masende Sonnyboy Zwane, Ncumbi Maziya, Hlobsile Ndlovu, Gadla Thwala, Mavovo Mkhonto and Bheki Dlamini.

The newly appointed Civil Service Commission (CSC) members are; Simanga Mamba (Chairperson), Princess SIbahle, Prince Jomo Mfanawenkhosi Dlamini, Chief Velamuva Maseko, Rev. Nhlanhla Hlatshwako.

The newly appointed Teaching Service Commission (TSC) stands as follows; Dr Amos Mahlalela (Chairperson), Chief Matsafeni Shongwe, Dumisile Sigwane, Sibusiso Shongwe, Nkhosilenhle Masuku.

The newly appointed Land Management Board (LMB) members are ; Thandi Maziya (Chairperson), Prince Mbuyisa, Chief Gasa WaNgwane, Peter Mamba, Ntombi Mngomezulu.

While the newly appointed Liqoqo or King’s Advisory Council members are as follows: Paul Dlamini (Chairperson),Prince Bandzile, Prince David, Princess Phumelele,Prince Gcina, Princess Tsandzisile, Prince Sibhimbi, Prince Kekela, Prince Mandla, Prince Mabandla, Prince Makhosikhosi Khumalo, Mzuthini Ntshangase, Lydia Sijabulile Dlamini, Mnguni Simelane, Mandla Dlamini, Major Vusumuzi Dlamini, Gelane Zwane, Mabekisa Mfan’utsecha Dlamini, Moi Moi Masilela, Olgah Malinga.

The National Chief Defence Officer was announced as Prince Hlangebeza.

Constitution

The Emabandla announced are those that are appointed by the King according to the 2005 Eswatini constitution and other national legislation. It is however worth noting that some of the Emabandla and appointments are not covered in the constitution which might put into question their legality. Some of the committees covered in the constitution include the Board of Trustees (Governed by the Royal Emoluments Act 1992 and amended in 2013) , Liqoqo King Advisory Council (s13 and 231) , Land Management Board (s212), Minerals Management Board (214), Civil Service Commission (s173- 187), Teaching Service Commission (s173 – 185).

The Emabandla whose constitutionality is not clear include the Ludzidzini Committee as well as the position of National Chief Defence Officer.

Omitted

There are two committees whose members were not appointed namely the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) as well as the Regional Administrators. It can be presumed that the incumbents will continue in office as stipulated in the  gazette issued by the Attorney General on April 26 according to the Times of Eswatini (27th April 2024).

One continuing but notable omission from the Emabandla is the Council of Chiefs that is covered under section 251 of the 2005 Eswatini constitution. The constitution (251[i]) stipulates that there shall be a Council of Chiefs comprising of 12 chiefs drawn from the four regions. Their role as stipulated in section 251 (3, a) would primarily be “advising the king on customary issues and any matter relating to or affecting chieftaincy including chieftaincy disputes”.

Emabandla Remuneration

In terms of remuneration according to the Ministry of Finance legal notice titled, The Prescription of Statutory and Allowance of Emabandla, Commissions and Boards Notice, 2024. According to the legal notice basic pay for members of the different Emabandla was E51,104.00. while chairpersons for each libandla got varying higher incomes. For instance Chairpersons for Liqoqo , Ludzidzini Council and Elections and Boundaries Commission were paid E72,398.00. Chairpersons for the Border Restoration Committee, CSC,MMB were paid E63,881.00. While Chairpersons for the Citizens Board, LMB and the TSC were paid E59 ,662.00. In total they will be getting above E5M per month.

The term of office of Emabandla is expected to begin immediately after the being sworn in.

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