Swaziland - King Mswati III defied critics yesterday to unveil constitutional changes that will extend his formidable powers.
"The nation is happy with the ruling system of the king. The majority said the king is the lion. If he is the lion he is the head of the country," said Chief Mangaliso Dlamini, chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC).
His vice-chairman, Mr Bheki Maphalala, told the gathering the king's powers would be enlarged but did not say how. The king already has the last word on legislation and most affairs of state. He said the nation did not want trade unions. Political parties have been banned in Swaziland since 1973 and much of the country's dissident activity has been channelled into trade unions.