Mbabane East Member of Parliament Welcome Dlamini has called for a review of the Constitution to reconsider term limits for Cabinet ministers. He made the statement during the handover of a house to 63-year-old Juliette Magagula of Mantjolo by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla. Dlamini commended King Mswati III for appointing Dladla, whom he said was serving the nation with dedication.
Dlamini argued that exceptional performers like Dladla should be allowed more time to serve the country. He suggested that the issue was worth debating, citing Section 68(6) of the Constitution, which states that a minister shall not hold office for more than two consecutive terms. The MP expressed concern about the potential problem when Dladla eventually retires, describing her as someone who was performing her duties with dedication.
The handover of houses was part of a housing initiative led by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla. She handed over four houses at Siphocosini, Nkwalini, Mantjolo, and Hhukwini. The houses were constructed with support from sponsors, including PMI, Taiwan, and SOS Children's Villages. Dladla noted that the initiative had taken her to a child-headed household at Siphocosini and other areas with unique challenges.
At Siphocosini, Dladla handed over a house to Ngabisa, the eldest member of a child-headed household caring for her four siblings and her own children. The family had lived at SOS Children's Villages Mbabane for over 20 years before deciding to return to their parental home. SOS Children's Villages contributed E70,000 towards the construction, while the DPM's office and partners mobilized additional resources.
The family also received three goats, chickens, and seedlings for a backyard garden to support food security and income generation. Dladla pledged to provide fencing for the livestock. Other stakeholders, including Chief Jabhane and Siphocosini MP Mduduzi Matsebula, pledged support for the family. Magagula, the recipient of another house, thanked Dladla for the assistance, saying it had changed her life.
Dladla noted that government needed to look closely at challenges arising from the declaration of towns, particularly where residents were expected to pay rates despite facing difficult circumstances. She expressed gratitude to MPs for identifying vulnerable residents. The housing initiative aimed to address some of these challenges.
Dlamini's call for a review of Cabinet term limits has sparked a debate on the issue. The MP's suggestion that exceptional performers should be allowed more time to serve the country has raised questions about the potential impact on governance and service delivery. The proposal will likely be discussed further in Parliament.
Key points
- MP Welcome Dlamini calls for review of Constitution to reconsider term limits for Cabinet ministers.
- Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla hands over houses to vulnerable residents in various areas.
- The housing initiative was supported by sponsors, including PMI, Taiwan, and SOS Children's Villages.
