Swazi king sacks Speaker
2004-03-11 14:47
Lobamba, Swaziland - Africa's last absolute monarch, Swaziland's King Mswati III, has in a new controversial decision fired the elected speaker of parliament after failing to remove him by exerting pressure.
The sacked speaker Marwick Khumalo told a special session of parliament on Wednesday that "as of yesterday, I was called to the royal residence, where I was informed (by) the head of state that I should resign from my position as speaker of the House of Assembly.
"It is therefore on this basis that I resign. The deputy speaker, Trusty Gina would therefore take over," he said.
Khumalo said he was being "victimised" for something he did when he was 14 years old - about 25 years ago - but did not elaborate.
"The matter was concluded by royal elders at the time and it was now surprising that the matter has been revived and successfully used to remove me.
"From the moment the so-called 'Marwick saga' arose, I have never doubted the fact that it was all because of popularity and politics," he said.
'I have to be removed'
"Even now, it is feared that I will overwhelm the new parliament with my unpopular political influence and notion I do not subscribe to. Therefore I have to be removed by hook or by crook."
The Swazi monarch recently deferred the opening of parliament for a second time in a week allegedly due to the row between the royal entourage and lawmakers over the speaker.
Last month, in a dramatic turn of events, Swazi parliamentarians endorsed Khumalo's election following reports that he was being asked to step down by people allegedly close to the monarchy.
Sources said the royalist entourage apparently told Khumalo they were not happy with the way he was elected.
The Swazi king is no stranger to controversy.
He recently attracted sweeping criticism for ordering new palaces worth $14m for his 10 wives and two fiancées at a time when the country faces a deficit of around $145m.
The king has also been slammed for ordering a $45m royal jet, whose purchase was later scrapped.
- SAPA