An Analysis of the System of Government of Swaziland

AN ANALYSIS OF THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT OF SWAZILAND

Modudusi Gregory Qwabe 2005144031

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master’s Degree In Governance and Political Transformation At the University of the Free State

SUPERVISOR: Dr Tania Coetzee

January 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1

1. Actuality and Motivation 1 2. Research Problem Statement 6 2.1 Primary problem 10 2.2 Secondary problem 11 3. Aims and Objectives of the study 11 3.1 Aims 11 3.2 Objectives 12 3.2.1 Primary objectives 12 3.2.2 Secondary objectives 12 4. Research methodology 12 5. Research design 13

CHAPTER 2: THE BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM 15

1. Introduction 15 2. The Constitution 16 2.1 Sources of the Constitution 18 2.1.1 Statute Law 18 2.1.2 Common Law 19 2.1.3 Conventions 19 2.1.4 Works of constitutional authority 19 2.1.5 EU laws and treaties 20 2.2 Principles of the Constitution 21 2.2.1 Parliamentary sovereignty 21 2.2.2 The rule of law 22 2.2.3 Parliamentary Government 23 2.2.4 Constitutional monarchy 23 2.2.5 European Union membership 24 2.2.6 Procedural democracy 24 2.2.7 Accountability 25 2.2.8 Liberal freedoms 25 2.2.9 Territorial unity 25 2.2.10 Crown legitimacy 25

2.2.11 Citizens not subjects 26 3. Important role players in the British political system 26 3.1 The Constitutional monarchy 26 3.2 The House of Lords 28 3.3 The House of Commons 29 3.3.1 Functions of Parliament 30 3.3.1.1 Legislation 31 3.3.1.2 Representation 31 3.3.1.3 Scrutiny and oversight 31 3.3.1.4 Recruitment and training of ministers 32 3.3.1.5 Legitimacy 33 3.4 The Prime Minister and the Cabinet 33 3.4.1 The Prime Minister 34 3.4.2 The Cabinet 35 4. The role of elections 36 5. Advantages and disadvantages of this system 37 5.1 Advantages 37 5.2 Disadvantages 38 6. Conclusion 39

CHAPTER 3: THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND: FROM PAST TO PRESENT

1. Introduction 42 2. The early years up to 1968 42 3. The period of 1968 -1978 46 4. The period 1978 to the present 50 5. System of government in terms of the Constitution 53 5.1 The traditional hierarchy 53 5.2 Parliament 58 6. Comparing the Swazi system to the British system 63 6.1 Similarities between the British and Swazi systems of government 63 6.2 Differences between the British and Swazi systems of government 64 7. Conclusion 65

CHAPTER 4: CHALLENGES FACING THE KINGDOM 68

1. Introduction 68 2. The Challenges of Governance in Swaziland 69 2.1 (Good) Governance and Democracy 69 2.2 Participation 72 2.3 Rule of law 75 2.4 Corruption and lack of Accountability 79 2.5 A deepening economic crisis 82 3. Political parties under siege 85 3.1 The People’s Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) 85 3.2 The Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) 87 3.3 The Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) 88 4. Some international community responses 89 5. Conclusion 98

CHAPTER 5: FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 100

1. Introduction 100 2. Swaziland is an absolute monarchy 103 3. Democracy in Swaziland exists on paper only 105 4. The economy will continue to deteriorate 106 5. Political dissent will lead to a political crisis 108 6. Other findings 109 7. Recommendations 111 7.1 For the international community 111 7.2 For opposition parties and organized labour in Swaziland 113 7.3 For Swaziland 114 8. Final Conclusion 116

BIBLIOGRAPHY 118

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DECLARATION

I, Modudusi Gregory Qwabe, hereby solemnly declare that this mini-dissertation is my own independent work and has never been submitted previously for another course at any institution. Signed:

Date: 24 January 2016

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AU African Union ACC Anti-Corruption Commission AGOA Africa Growth and Opportunity Act CET Commonwealth Expert Team COSATU Congress of South African Trade Unions CDC Constitution Drafting Committee CRC Constitution Review Committee DPP