His Majesty’s government does not influence court rulings, according to Swaziland’s Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku. The DPM has emphasised the independence of the judiciary, saying in an interview with the radio station that it operated independently without the influence of the executive arm of government. He said the people who accuse the government of influencing court rulings were misinformed.
Masuku was interviewed on the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) during the current affairs show hosted by Maveni Gwebu last Thursday. Responding to a question on allegations of using the courts to get their way, the DPM emphasised the separation of powers, stating that the three arms of government worked independently from each other.
He stated that under the judiciary, law enforcement agencies are responsible for ensuring that people abide by the rule of law. Masuku said the executive does not have the power to influence the decisions of the judiciary. He explained that the government has been taken to court on many occasions and lost numerous cases, which he said showed that it had no influence over court operations.
He used the example of how the government was forced to abide by a court ruling in the case of introducing free primary education, which he said the government was never ready to implement. “Government was taken to court by civil society over the enforcement of free primary education, which we had not implemented because we were not ready for it.
“Government lost that case, and we had to find ways to implement the decision of the courts. If the government has influence over courts, that case would have taken a different twist,” Masuku said. He explained that the minister of justice and constitutional affairs become involved in matters of the judiciary during budgeting. He said in all other matters the judiciary works independently, making their own rulings.
Adding, Masuku stated that people need to commit to the rule of law and work within its ambit. He mentioned that Emaswati need to capacitate themselves about the country’s structures before they accuse the government of anything and everything. “Some are calling for the release of certain individuals from jail. These people need to know where they can direct whatever they want to so that they stop accusing wrong structures,” he said.
Masuku further warned Emaswati against perpetrating violence in the country. He said there was no winner in violence as innocent people tend to suffer the most. The Deputy Prime Minister said no one gained from violence as it brings disaster and further increases vulnerability among people. What do you make of what the DPM had to say? Do you think there is any truth to his words? What’s your impression of the judiciary in Swaziland? Join the conversation.
Content created and supplied by: GavinMndawe11 (via Opera
News )
