There appears to be little hope of creating unity in Cabinet, as Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla has stated that her efforts to maintain calm between ministers and have them remain united have not been successful.
Dladla shared this in the Senate yesterday during the adoption of the prime minister’s office responses to the debate held last Thursday. The DPM was responding to concerns from Senator Princess Ncengencenge, who had blamed her for the divisions within Cabinet. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini was also present during the Senate sitting.
Dladla said she wanted to follow up on the senator’s remarks and provide clarification. She said she had once heard the Queen Mother saying that a woman gives birth to children, who are biologically hers, but some may become wayward. She said such children are not abandoned because they belong to the same mother. She likened this to her situation, stating that as the eldest and a mother, the ministers were all her responsibility. She added that when children grow up, they may be guided, but still choose their own paths.
“I am a Liswati woman who is mature, as the senator has said. If I reprimand them, they may say this old woman is not making sense and choose their own path. I also ask them to sit down and thrash out their differences, but all they do is just look at me and do nothing. That is all I can say on the issue,” she said.
Senator Princess Ncengencenge had stated that there were seasoned ministers in Cabinet, such as Dladla, whom they expected to provide guidance when things were not going accordingly. She said she was concerned about the lack of unity in Cabinet despite the presence of experienced and mature ministers.
She added that there was a difference between a minister who had served as a backbencher and one who was appointed directly to Cabinet. She said in their work, they should remember that some ministers lacked legislative experience.
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“I am not including the deputy prime minister on that list, which is why I am placing the blame on her. What has she done? Uyihlabephi lenyandzaleyo size sifike lana lasikhonakhona?” she said.
Princess Ncengencenge said she was blaming the DPM more than others because it was unclear what steps she had taken to calm the situation, noting that they were now hearing about missed opportunities.
She said the country was entrusted to the entire Cabinet, which was expected to support and work with the prime minister. She advised that where the prime minister was wrong, they should guide him. She questioned whether they held private consultations with the prime minister where necessary.
“We are not supposed to be here,” she said.
Senator Lindiwe Ngwenya also observed that Cabinet did not appear to be a unified body. She urged members to demonstrate unity, noting that decisions made in Cabinet should be communicated consistently, rather than ministers presenting conflicting accounts. She said this inconsistency was eroding public confidence in Cabinet.
“We are asking the prime minister to take charge,” she said.
Senator Sicelo Dlamini called for a spirit of humility and unity within Cabinet. He said sometimes humbling oneself could resolve many issues. He noted that if Cabinet members were not aligned, it would hinder their ability to work effectively. He warned that failure to work collectively was a failure to Parliament, as the public perceived them as divided.
“All of these people we are referring to are experienced. We are asking that unity be visible in Cabinet, as the nation is becoming confused,” he said.
Senator Princess Ntfombiyenkhosi said she was surprised to hear reports of divisions in Cabinet. She questioned whether Cabinet ministers were adequately oriented by the attorney general (AG)’s office, noting that some appeared unfamiliar with how government operates while others did not. She said such training could help prevent hasty decisions that should instead be taken collectively. She added that this was particularly important for ministers coming from the private sector, unlike those who had previously worked within government structures.
Meanwhile, at the end of the sitting, the DPM stated that there was a perception that there was a division in Cabinet, noting that Cabinet had young, intelligent, and vibrant ministers. She said Cabinet had ministers that deliver and serve the country with diligence. She added that the ministers continue working, stating that they cannot always agree on things. She said nowadays, there was social media and everything highlighting that where people were working, people always had opinions on how they should work.
“This is like a soccer match where the spectator says a goal should have been scored. There will always be differences when working, and the important part is how they are handled,” she said.
She added that a person afar might blame the DPM but asked that they look at things objectively. She said if they wanted to know the answers to the why, she should be called and asked. She said this was if they were really worried. She said they were supposed to be one as Cabinet, stating that they were often one but sometimes differ in ideas. “Sicela ningasidvungi nani,” she said.
She assured the upper house that their relationship was good the way it was because their work was scrutiny, legislation, and represent the country. She said if they were being asked tough questions, ridiculed with some members being sarcastic, it was the legislature’s job to do so as long as they deliver.
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