Political parties in Swaziland
Encyclopedia
The status of political parties in Swaziland is not clearly defined.
Political parties were banned in Swaziland in 1973 by King Sobhuza II and this proclamation has not been repealed. The 2005 Constitution does not mention political parties, but does guarantee freedom of association, and the African United Democratic Party was registered as a legal political party on the basis of this.
King Mswati III is reported to have made contradictory statements regarding the status of political parties:
Chief Gija Dlamini of the Elections and Boundaries Commission stated that political parties were unlawful and that the freedom of association clause in the constitution did not include political parties. Attorney General Majahenkhaba Dlamini stated that parties were legal but not permitted to participate in elections.
There is no legislation in Swaziland governing registration, regulation, funding and financial control of political parties.
Some members of the House of Assembly
do however belong to parties, such as MP Marwick Khumalo
who is Secretary General of Sive Siyinqaba.
Political parties were banned in Swaziland in 1973 by King Sobhuza II and this proclamation has not been repealed. The 2005 Constitution does not mention political parties, but does guarantee freedom of association, and the African United Democratic Party was registered as a legal political party on the basis of this.
King Mswati III is reported to have made contradictory statements regarding the status of political parties:
"The old constitution had actually written that we banned political parties but these days when you read our new constitution, our new constitution allows the freedom of rights. There is nothing which says we ban parties." April 2006.
"I want to stress to you that political parties remain banned up until the people of Swaziland say so." August 2007.
Chief Gija Dlamini of the Elections and Boundaries Commission stated that political parties were unlawful and that the freedom of association clause in the constitution did not include political parties. Attorney General Majahenkhaba Dlamini stated that parties were legal but not permitted to participate in elections.
There is no legislation in Swaziland governing registration, regulation, funding and financial control of political parties.
Some members of the House of Assembly
House of Assembly of Swaziland
The House of Assembly of Swaziland is the lower chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament.There are a total of 55 single-member constituencies corresponding to the tinkhundlas . 14 tinkhundlas are located in Hhohho District, 11 in Lubombo District, 16 in Manzini District, and 14 in Shiselweni...
do however belong to parties, such as MP Marwick Khumalo
Marwick Khumalo
Marwick Khumalo is the current member of the House of Assembly of Swaziland for Lobamba. He was elected as the speaker of the National Assembly in 2004, but was later removed by the parliament for improper conduct, that he apparently committed 25 years earlier when he was 14 years old, all along he...
who is Secretary General of Sive Siyinqaba.