ANOTHER POLL LOSER GOES TO COURT

Swazi Observer

3 September 2008

Ex-journo runs to court over elections loss

By Sabelo Mamba

FORMER President of Swaziland Media Workers Union Charles Matsebula is another aspiring Member of Parliament who has taken the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to Court.

In court papers, Matsebula is seeking an order restraining Henry Dlamini from participating as a nominee for MP under Ntfonjeni Constituency.

He argues that prior to the nomination process, they were advised that no civil servant would be allowed to participate or be nominated during the national elections.

Matsebula says primary elections process proceeded and Dlamini was one of the participants yet he was a teacher at Ekujabuleni Primary School.

He argues that in terms of Section 97 (1) (c) of the constitution, Dlamini does not qualify to be nominated as a Member of Parliament Under Ntfonjeni Constituency.

"On the day of the counting of the results, I requested a report from the Returning Officer (Mjuda Vilakati), but he advised me that Dlamini's letter of approval from his employer had been submitted to Ncumbi Maziya of EBC.

To my surprise, Maziya denied knowledge of the said letter."

Matsebula is being represented by Bongiwe Dlamini. The case is pending at the High court.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=46639&section=main