GOVERNMENT PRESS STATEMENT
NO 4 of 2015
BY THE RT HON PRIME MINISTER
DR B.SIBUSISO DLAMINI
TUESDAY 21 APRIL 2015
I start by thanking the Nation for supporting His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Queen Mother during the 47th Birthday Celebrations for His Majesty.I would also like to express our gratitude to the organisers of the event, led by the Ministry for Home Affairs, and ably supported by the essential services who remained faithfully on the job to ensure the requisite services were provided.The participation of the international community was also much appreciated.His Majesty, Her Majesty and the Royal Family were very pleased with the turnout at Ebuhleni Royal Residence.
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Events of the past weekend that relate to one of the three arms of Government, namely the Judiciary, will have given rise to a considerable amount of concern among the people of Swaziland.
I can confirm that those events do relate to serious matters that are currently under investigation. I am certain that there was a general awareness of the existence of problems in the Judiciary, but I am taking this opportunity to assure the Nation, that all these matters are fully under control, with proper procedures being followed.
As reported in the media, criminal charges have already been laid against certain individuals.But these are the early stages of a criminal investigation.A fundamental concept underpinning the laws of our land is that a person is presumed innocent until proved guilty.The process of proving guilt has yet to commence, during which all allegations will have to be answered by those accused of any crimes.
It will have been observed that one individual, for whom a warrant of arrest has been issued, is our Chief Justice who is head of the Judiciary.He will be required to answer certain allegations and, while the circumstances of the past weekend have been somewhat unusual, I take the opportunity to assure the Nation that the Chief Justice is safe and is not under any threat of physical harm, certainly as far as Government is concerned. Our Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has been instructed to inform their counterparts in the home country of the Chief Justice about the present circumstances.
The Chief Justice is, at the present time, resisting arrest but I can disclose that the other four individuals – a Cabinet Minister, two judges and the Registrar of the High Court – were duly arrested by the Police.I can, furthermore, assure the Nation that all will answer the relevant allegations in front of a fully competent court.
There has been some concern in recent times about the degree of integrity in the workings of the Judiciary and the suspected existence of a number of what we might call bad potatoes but it has to be emphasized that we are confident that the majority of our judges are entirely honest in the execution of their work.
Owing to the emerging state of affairs it is necessary to make the requisite change within Cabinet.Following a recommendation to His Majesty, Senator Edgar Hillary has been graciously appointed by His Majesty to the position of Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.Senator Hillary brings to Cabinet a great a deal of experience and previous career path that give Their Majesties and Government the assurance that he will be fully capable of meeting the demands of the position.
Thank you.
Dr B.Sibusiso Dlamini 21 April 2015
Prime Minister