SWAZILAND MP ACCUSED OF BRIBERY

Swazi Observer

12 September 2008

I never bribed voters - Ex MP

Stories by Sabelo Mamba

FORMER Kwaluseni Constituency MP of Sibusiso Nkambule expressed shock at the revelation that he bought lunch for Tex-ray employees at Matsapha and induced them to vote for him.

Nkambule, in his answering affidavit filed at the High Court, says these allegations were not true.

He says the allegations by Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini were embarrassing and showed how desperate he was for a second run in the elections.

Nkambule also refutes an assertion that he was paying voters E50 to vote for him.

He says if he paid a certain Wandile Masina E50 to vote for him, Dlamini should have reported the anomaly to the Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), Chief Gija. "When it occurred, action must have been taken against me in terms of Section 65 of the Elections Order of 1992 and Section 87 (5) of the country's constitution," he argues.

Nkambule argues that there was no evidence produced by Dlamini to show that he lodged any complaint with the EBC in respect of the alleged incident.

He says the allegations made by Dlamini that he bribed a voter do not suffice to persuade the court in granting the relief sought.

Nkambule says the names of the community police to whom the incident was reported had been conveniently omitted by Dlamini.

He also contends that there was no evidence that the matter was indeed being investigated by Matsapha police.

Dlamini is seeking an order declaring the primary elections at Kwaluseni invalid following the above-mentioned alleged irregularities.

Nkambule is being represented by Nkomondze Attorneys while P.K. Msibi & Associates are defending Dlamini.

The case will be heard today.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=46806&section=main