I was fired – Savannah

Minister of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya yesterday confirmed that Russell Mmiso Dlamini dismissed her from her position.

The revelation came during a tense session in Parliament where the minister was presenting the 2025/26 annual performance report to the ministry’s portfolio committee. Her confirmation followed weeks of speculation and social media reports regarding her status within Cabinet.

However, Maziya disclosed that the intervention of Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo ultimately kept her in office.

She said the Attorney General provided legal guidance regarding the hierarchy of authority in government and how a Cabinet minister should legally be removed from office.

The atmosphere in Parliament intensified when MPs pressed the minister to confirm whether she had indeed been dismissed.

Welcome Dlamini was the first to seek clarity, expressing surprise at seeing the minister still performing her duties despite widespread reports of her removal.

He pointed out that under the Constitution, the power to appoint or dismiss ministers rests solely with King Mswati III.

“When I saw the minister some of us said it was a lie that she was fired and they said it was written on social media that the minister had been fired. I want clarity from you minister if this is indeed true and if so also tell us who fired you because the powers to dismiss only rest with His Majesty the King,” he said.

The question was echoed by Sicelo Khungankhosi Dlamini, who said his constituents had sent him to seek answers.

“I have been sent by the people of Mayiwane to ask on their behalf if you were indeed fired from Cabinet and further enquire who fired you,” he said.

He also questioned how the minister could continue to serve under such pressure and asked how Parliament could assist her.

Responding to the queries, portfolio committee chairperson Charles Ndlovu directed Maziya to address the issue of her dismissal.

Taking the floor, Maziya confirmed the reports but described the situation as legally complicated.

“I can say yes I was fired, I was tortured,” she admitted.

She explained that coming from a business background, she initially intended to follow protocol after the dismissal.

“As a business person I did contact the attorney general to say that I was leaving because I did not know how procedures work when you have been dismissed.”

According to Maziya, the Attorney General advised her to return to work because the person who dismissed her did not have the authority to do so.

“He actually told me to go back to work,” she said.

She explained that she could not vacate her position because the individual who had fired her was not the one who had appointed her.

Despite remaining in office, the minister described her experience in government as extremely difficult.

“I can say it has been two years of torture,” she said, referring to her time within the current administration.

However, she concluded by urging leaders to prioritise national progress over personal conflicts.

“I still believe that the country can do well if we work together and not focus on personal issues; we can go far,” she said.

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