Swaziland Govt. Minister wants to monitor all foreign ambassadors and score their usefulness

The Swaziland (eSwatini) Government will monitor the United States Ambassador to the kingdom and other senior foreign diplomats to see how well they ‘market’ the kingdom, if Senator Thuli Dladla, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, gets her way.

Dladla wants a ‘scorecard’ to be kept for each ambassador based on how many investors they bring into the kingdom.

The Minister made her remarks in the House of Assembly after several members criticised a speech made by Lisa Peterson, the US Ambassador to Swaziland.

Peterson had criticised the absolute monarch King Mswati III for his lavish spending on luxury Rolls-Royce and BMW cars. He had bought at least 15 Rolls-Royce cars for his wives and the government, which he personally appointed, bought a total of 126 BMW cars and motorbikes, for escort duties.

It had earlier been reported by the online newspaper the Swaziland News that Ambassador Peterson and other ambassadors were now under police surveillance.

Dladla told the House all ambassadors accredited to the kingdom would be called in for a meeting, the Times of eSwatini reported.

The Times added, ‘The minister said there would be score cards for ambassadors based on how many investors they managed to bring into the country, including how well they marketed the kingdom from the various stations.’

Later a US Embassy spokesperson said, Ambassador Peterson’s remarks were guided by principles of the eSwatini Constitution that allowed for freedom of expression. 

See also

Threat to censor U.S. Ambassador to Swaziland after criticism of King’s lavish spending

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/threat-to-censor-us-ambassador-to.html

King of impoverished Swaziland takes delivery of 79 luxury BMW cars worth US$6 million

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/king-of-impoverished-swaziland-takes.html
 

U.S. Ambassador calls for repeal of decree that makes Swaziland an absolute monarchy

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2018/11/us-ambassador-calls-for-repeal-of.html

SWAZILAND MPS FEAR UPRISING

Swaziland MPs are getting fearful that there could be a revolution in the kingdom, ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

And some want the Swazi Government to monitor people to see if they are ready to revolt.

The political unrest in North Africa and the Middle East has sparked concerns that Swazis might follow suit and the existence of the April 12 Uprising Facebook site is seen as confirmation that something might happen.

These fears emerged on Wednesday (9 March 2011) as parliament debated the third quarter report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The Press in Swaziland reported Marwick Khumalo MP saying it was important to know what people in the kingdom were saying about the uprisings.

‘What are the political vibes? Do they show that we won’t suffer the same fate as elsewhere?’ he asked.

‘People on the streets are talking about plots being made against the nation. I am not a sceptic but the talks are there. Should we relax or be concerned?’

He said people could be planning a revolution and the government must take a stand. If not he and other Swazis would gladly address the issue if assigned by government.

Khumalo said internet communication should not be ignored. He believed the Egyptian uprising was orchestrated through the new media. Regarding similar calls for Swaziland he said, ‘We are ready to face them. We should be roped in as politicians if we have to say something.’

Khumalo said knowing about these things would help them devise ways on how to defend Swaziland. ‘Some people who feel weak-kneed try to hide such things from the people, this should not be done instead we should take a stand,’ he said.

Chief Nzameya MP also said that the conflicts in other countries were a cause for concern.

Gibson ‘Cracker’ Hlophe MP said, ‘We do not want to find ourselves in an uncomfortable situation, there should be a department that is going to act on this now before things get out of hand.’

Siphiwe Kunene MP said Swaziland should be careful about statements it makes about countries that are currently experiencing political conflicts because when these are over, Swaziland would still want to maintain the relations.

‘I was shocked when I browsed through the internet and found that an officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made negative comments about one of the countries. What would happen when the conflicts are over as we would still want to be associated with the countries?

‘The ministry should have a way of monitoring officers,’ she said.

Although she didn’t say it out loud, she was referring to Clifford Mamba, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who reportedly made critical comments about the leadership style of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, an ally of King Mswati.