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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