SWAZI POLL LOSER RUNS TO COURT

Swazi Observer

27 August 2008

ELECTIONS LOSERS RUN TO COURT

By Sabelo Mamba

FORMER Member of Parliament of Zombodze Emuva Titus Thwala, who lost the race to parliament, has instructed his lawyers to challenge the primary elections at the High Court.

In an interview yesterday, MP Thwala argued that primary elections at Zombodze were chaotic in that some procedures were flouted.

He said, as a result, he had instructed one of the law firms in Manzini to challenge the elections.

"I do not want to get into the nitty-gritties since the issue is being handled by my lawyers," he said.

"It's a matter that needs redress and my lawyers are doing a good job on this issue. They are working on the logistics. What I can only reveal is that one of the candidates did some under-cutting."

Thwala said his case would get to court at any time.

Thwala, who is known for his slogan 'Smart Zombode' lost to former Chairman of the Nhlangano Town Board Johannes Ndlangamandla.

The ex-MP obtained 688 votes while Ndlangamandla got 836.

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=46492&Section=main&articledate=Thursday,%20January%201,%201970

FORMER MP THWALA OUT OF POLL

Times of Swaziland

26 August 2008

Titus Thwala out of race

By SIHLE DLAMINI

NHLANGANO- Primary election results came with a shock for confident former MP Titus Thwala last night as he crashed out of the race.

This is the same man who had been telling his competitors to try in 2013 as he was a sure winner for another term.

Thwala lost to former Nhlangano mayor and bitter politics rival Johannes Ndlangamandla.

Ndlangamandla got 836 votes against Thwala’s 688.

After all had been said and done and three days of voting marred by ballot papers that ran out, it was at around 3.30 p.m. that the moment of truth and revelations arrived.

Peeping through a window as the media was barred from getting inside with about 80 people fighting for the little available space, the only voice heard kept on repeating two surnames at most.

"Ndlangamandla, Ndlangamandla, Thwala, Myeni," said the counting officer for about five hours until 8.02 pm.

"685,686, 687 and 688 and I am finished", said the counting elections officer. Inside the counting room Ndlangamandla was hugged.

A slogan that was chanted when he was nominated reverberated in the room.

"Iyaphi indoda? Iya phambili-Where is this man taking off to? He is progressing!" That was the end of Titus Thwala’s political career.

Thwala was not present at the counting process and he was also not available to comment as his cellphone was switched off last night.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/News/917.html