BREAD USED TO BUY VOTES

Times Sunday

12 October 2008

I gave MPs lots of bread—Mr Bread owner

By MAKHOSI MAGONGO

MBABANE— REVEALED: Mister Bread boss Wyne Levendale ‘assisted many’ MPs in their campaign for Parliament elections.

Some of the aspiring MPs were given loads of bread to buy votes, while other sponsorships from Mister Bread came in the form of cash prizes for soccer tournaments hosted by the campaigning nominees.

In return for the favour, they were supposed to elect him to be a senator once they were inside Parliament. But the plot did not go well, as Levendale lost to Tom Mndzebele, who made history by becoming the first visually impaired man to become a senator. Mndzebele got 44 votes while Levendale got 16 after a run off.

On Friday during the selection of senators, Mtsambama MP Bheki ‘No Problem’ Mkhonta nominated Levendale.

MP Mkhonta, a SUB Manager by occupation, yesterday acknowledged that Levendale assisted many MPs during the run down to the elections. He said he was not pleased that his nominee had lost, but was however happy that Mndzebele was eventually successful.

He further explained why he nominated Levendale. He listed several reasons why he wanted Levendale to become a senator.

"The first reason is that he is a Swazi who registered for the elections at Hhukwini area. Electing him would have made us a non-racist country. Our parliament should be balanced along racial lines, as much as we need to have people from the disabled Swazi community represented. I also believe that he has invested a lot of money in Swaziland and is committed to poverty alleviation in that his company employs over 300 people who have dependants.

"I also know for a fact that he assisted a lot of MPs while they were still campaigning for elections. The assistance came in many forms, including prizes for soccer tournaments organised by the MPs. There was free bread provided for the people, which is another way of alleviating poverty," he claimed, adding: "As for soccer, he has sponsored our 1st division league and many other community leagues."

MP Mkhonta said electing Levendale would have encouraged other investors who own businesses in the country. He said Levendale’s election would also be good for his constituency, Mtsambama.

Even though they are rivals in business, Mkhonta says he believes Levendale would have added value to the upper House.

"Nonetheless, I would like to congratulate Mndzebele who was the ultimate winner. I believe he represents a section of our society that has been marginalized over the years," he said.

Levendale said he was not bitter about the loss. "It’s fine, we can only try. At the end of the day, I am happy for the man who eventually won. I have no hard feelings," he said yesterday.

He confirmed that he assisted a lot of MPs when they were still campaigning. He, also, did not disclose any names.

He, however, said donating to impoverished rural areas was his company policy, though the donations were distributed via the then Parliament hopefuls.

He said his interest to become a senator was purely for the development of the country. "The difference between me and some of the people there is that I already have a well paying job, being a senator would have been purely a social responsibility. It was not a way of enriching myself. I wanted to participate in development because I believe Swaziland is a beautiful country that has a lot of potential," he said, adding: "However I believe there are many other people who are there purely for the development of the country, not to enrich themselves."

Chief Gija, the Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission said he had been told that there was a case involving bread that is due to be heard in the high court. He was unsure whether it involved Mr Bread.

He further said donations should not be done with the expectation that there will be a favour returned.

"We have already warned against such donations. Giving is a blessed thing. However, when you give, you should not expect to be given a favour in return," he said. He said people elected into parliament were expected to be honest, and to desist from behaviour that is not in line with the law.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/index.php?news=2142

LATE RESULT FROM SWAZI POLL

Times Sunday

28 September 2008

Esther Wins for Mbabane East

By SABELO MASIMULA

MABABANE— Esther Dlamini came out the victor in the long and hard fought battle to the august House in the Mbabane East Inkhundla yesterday.

Her journey to the august House’s hot seat was stalled by a protest by one Alfred Mndzebele who got a court order for a recount. She came out victorious after the recount of the ballot boxes. Her second hurdle was outsmarting Jabulani Nxumalo, who had become a thorn in her flash, and a hot contender for the seat in Parliament.

However, in yesterday’s election, hundreds of people came in their numbers, braving a very cold weather to exercise their right to vote for their choice of MP.

After weeks of rivarly between the two, the day of reckoning had finally come, and when the counting was conducted, it became clear the former MP was getting most of the votes.

Interestingly, she had received support from her friends in Parliament, Nkilongo MP Trusty Gina and Pigg’s MP Hlobsile Ndlovu. The counting for yesterday’s election was done last night, after an argument with the Elections and Boundaries Commission over when it should be done. The EBC had said the counting should be done today, but Nxumalo had said they wanted to count soon after the voting.

As it was, it was counted on the same night, and according to polling officers, and insiders, the result confirmed Esther Dlamini to have won, amid some wild jubilations among her camp.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/News/1772.html

WHO WILL BE NEXT SWAZI PM?

Times Sunday

28 September 2008

Is Barney the man for the hot seat?

By MAKHOSI MAGONGO

MBABANE—Will Liqoqo pick Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini as the next Prime Minister when the time for nominating possible candidates comes?

This question arises from revelations that he is a frontrunner for the post of Head of Government, vacated by Absalom Themba Dlamini when Cabinet was dissolved last week.

"The events currently happening in the country need a man of Barnabas’ calibre. So far we believe he is the man for the job," said a senior member of the advisory body, Liqoqo.

The king’s advisor was referring to the recent spate of terrorism attacks, the march against Emakhosikati’s trip to the Middle East and Asia, fiscal discipline within government and the imminent threat to the royal family.

"Many members believe that these challenges need an assertive and strong individual who will be in charge of government. We do not want a situation where there are many cabinets within one, where some ministers are more powerful than the prime minister," he said.

The king’s advisor also revealed that the names of Phesheya Dlamini (Former Attorney General, and Ambassador to Kuwait), Mathendele Dlamini, Absalom Muntu Dlamini, and the possible reappointment of A.T. Dlamini also came up in some informal meetings. The advisor said only Barnabas Dlamini’s name came up in a formal meeting.

One of the people who were recently tipped for the post was Phesheya Dlamini, whose age worked against him. "He is still young, yet the position needs a very senior politician," said the advisor.

"The general feeling is that Dlamini is fit for the job," he said.

Asked whether they had considered that Dlamini’s exit coincided with the breakdown of the rule of law, the advisor said: "That has been considered. At the time of his exit, there was no constitution in place. Now we have a constitution in place, so the provisions of such a constitution guide the conduct of a Prime Minister. Therefore, how he went out should not be a problem. What we consider is the vast experience he has in dealing with such problems as those the country’s leadership is facing at the moment."

His Majesty the King is still expected to hold meetings with the SNC where the issue of the prime minister will be concluded.

Once the prime minister is appointed, and a new government is in place, the king is expected to dissolve Liqoqo, and appoint a new team.

Currently, members of the main advisory committee include Prince Sobandla, Prince Mahlaba, Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, and Chief Magudvulela, to name but a few.

Section 67 of the Constitution states:

(1) The king shall appoint the prime minister from among members of the House acting on recommendation of the King’s Advisory Council.

(2) The king shall appoint ministers from both chambers of Parliament on the recommendation of the prime minister.

(3) At least half the number of ministers shall be appointed from among the elected members of the house.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/News/1771.html

WAIT ON FOR SWAZI KING TO NAME MPS

Times Sunday

28 September 2008

Liqoqo completes its rigorous process of nominations

By MAKHOSI MAGONGO

MBABANE—The King’s Advisory Council, Liqoqo, has completed the process of nominating people to be appointed by the king to the House of Assembly.

Each member of the team of 12 powerful main advisors was requested to submit names of five people who have distinguished themselves in the service of the country.

From the names submitted by the committee, the King is expected to choose 10 men and women who will be announced as appointed members of the lower house.

"We were advised to consider all sectors of government and the private sector. Therefore in the nomination, each advisor considered people from the various emabandla, the civil service, those in Foreign Service, the private sector," said a senior advisor of the King, who wields a lot of influence in the country’s traditional structures.

Nomination

"The reason for this kind of nomination is that a lot of people have been appointed into parliament and Cabinet in the past, and they tended to embarrass the appointing authority. The process is now rigorously done to minimise the possibility of the appointment of incompetent people," said the advisor.

He said at the end of the nomination exercise, the King was expected to be in the possession of 60 names. From that list, 10 names are to be announced by the Elections and Boundaries Commission.

"Previously, each advisor had the chance to suggest a name by word of mouth. But the process proved to be cumbersome and a source of conflict, as some advisors would openly oppose the names of certain individuals.

"Therefore, this time around, each member was required to write the names on a piece of paper. We did that and the Ingwenyama will compile the final list, taking into consideration the names submitted," added the source.

Whether the King has already given the list to the EBC could not be ascertained.

Liqoqo Secretary Bheka Mabuza could not be drawn for comment on the nomination. He could only say: "Officially, I am unaware of that."

However, another SNC member also confirmed that names of nominees were submitted by members to the appointing authority. He said they have yet to nominate people to take up Senate seats.

The sources both concurred that lobbying for parliament and cabinet seats has intensified ahead of the announcement of people to be appointed as legislators, and Cabinet ministers.

The list of people allegedly contacting members of the advisory committee include lawyers, corporate executives, government officials and some women.

"Most of the people contacting some of us are already in positions of authority. Some hold senior positions in banks, government, and private business entities," he said.

The EBC chiefs said they have not received any correspondence in relation to the appointments. Chief Gija said: "We are still waiting for the king to return."

Once the 10 appointees are appointed, Parliamentarians will be sworn in, and subsequently appoint among themselves, people to become senators. The king, in consultation with emabandla, will appoint an additional 20 Senators.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/News/1769.html

CANDIDATES SPAT OVER PICTURE

Times Sunday

28 September 2008

MBABANE— Mbabane East Member of Parliament contenders Esther Dlamini and Jabulani Nxumalo exchanged heated words during election process yesterday at KaBoyce Primary School.

The source of the verbal showdown was a picture used to aid Nxumalo’s campaign.

Nxumalo confirmed the altercation although he downplayed its magnitude.

He said his photo was found planted at Dlamini’s camp, just 500 metres from the polling station. He said this irked Dlamini’s supporters who then reported the incident to the police. He said the actual confrontation took place while he was trying to clarify his side of the story before the police.

"It was just a minor confrontation," emphasised Nxumalo. He alleged that this was a ploy by Dlamini’s camp to disqualify him.

"My agents and supporters could have not done this since everybody knows me around here. I think these were just efforts to create circumstances to disqualify me. This was sorted though as I told them that the law dictates that candidate’s pictures should be 500 metres from the polling station. Their argument was made more baseless by the fact that Dlamini’s picture was also there and bigger than mine," explained Nxumalo. Nxumalo also promised to respect any outcome of the election as the people would have made their choice (spoken).

Esther Dlamini said their dispute emanated from the fact that two of Nxumalo’s agents (bogalajane) were seen three times at the Msunduza market’s food outlets showing the electorate pictures of Nxumalo and telling them to vote for him. Paulos Dvuba and Africa Dlamini, who are Nxumalo’s agents, were spotted by Esther’s agents telling people who have already voted to vote for Nxumalo. While doing this they were displaying Nxum-alo’s pictures. On another note, EBC’s Ncumbi Maziya is reported to have sent back a girl wearing a T-shirt with Esther Dlamini’s picture.

Dlamini explained that the said girl was wearing a jacket on top of the T-shirt and had zipped the jacket. She also argued the fact that this girl was spotted by Nxumalo out of all the people who were inside the polling station.

She registered her concern as to how Nxumalo knew that the girl was wearing the T-shirt beneath her jacket.

Disqualify

"This was just a perfectly acted move to get a require-ment to disqualify me. Out of all the people Nxumalo spotted this girl and he instructed her to remove the jacket. How did Nxumalo know that the girl was wearing the T-shirt because she had her jacket zipped up to the collar?" complained Dlamini.

On a light and refreshing note Pigg’s Peak and Nkilongo MPs Hlobsile Ndlovu and Trusty Gina visited Esther Dlamini during her hour of need, in what appeared to be women solidarity move yesterday at KaBoyce Primary School.

Link http://www.times.co.sz/News/1768.html