NEW SWAZI SENATORS APPOINTED

Weekend Observer

11 October 2008

Only Ngoma, Thandi bounced back

By Fanyana Mabuza

Only two members of the last Senate have bounced back. The Senate members nominated by MPs in the last Parliament who will be returning again are Ngom’yayona Gamedze and Thandi Shongwe, who were also nominated and elected by the current crop of MPs at Parliament yesterday. Gamedze was Deputy President while Shongwe served as Minister for Tourism, Environment and Communications in the last Parliament.

Below is a list of MP elected Senators in the last Parliament:

1. Rowan Howe

2. Ngomuyayona Gamedze

3. Adam Bomber Mtsetfwa

4. Mike Temple

5. Isaac Shabangu

6. Albert Shabangu (Late and replaced by Thandi Nxumalo)

7. Thandi Shongwe

8. Winnie Magagula

9. Nokukhanya Gamedze

10. Mary Magwaza

The new MP elected members of the Senate are:

1. Thandi Shongwe

2. Robert Zwane

3. Ngom’yayona Gamedze

4. Bhutana Dlamini

5. Tom Mndzebele

6. Bon’sile Mngometulu

7. Nozubele Bujela

8. Nelsiwe Shongwe

9 .Ndileka Dlamini

10. Victor Makhosezwe Malambe

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/weekend/main.php?id=47585&section=mainweek

NEW HOUSE SPEAKER ELECTED

Swazi News

11 October 2008

Prince Guduza Speaker, MP Esther his Deputy LOBAMBA- Prince Guduza was yesterday re-elected to be the House of Assembly Speaker while Mbabane East MP Esther Dlamini, who is in her second term running in Parliament, was elected his deputy. This was during the 9th Parliament’s first session where members of the House were sworn in. The favourite for the Speaker position and former Deputy Speaker MP Trusty Gina from Nkilongo Inkhundla lost. The election of Prince Guduza, who was neither elected nor appointed for a seat in the House of Assembly, came after a motion that was moved by Sithobelweni MP Patrick Mamba and seconded by MP Henry Dlamini. The constitution allows nomination of a non-member of the House on condition that this individual once served a term or more in Parliament. Prince Guduza was among appointed MPs in the previous Parliament. Infact he has been in Parliament for more than one term. He was once a Cabinet Minister. On the other side of the coin another motion to elect MP Gina as Speaker was moved by Lubulini Member of Parliament and gospel singer of note Timothy Myeni and was seconded by MP Sibongile Hlophe. During the election 63 MPs took part in the voting and Prince Guduza became the eventual winner with 41 votes while MP Gina trailed with 22 votes. Unlike in the tightly contested Speaker’s position, MP Dlamini’s (Esther) election as deputy to Prince Guduza was a one-horse race. It was the only motion and it was unopposed. Earlier at exactly 15 minutes before the voting for the Deputy Speaker, Members of Parliament were found in the Parliament corridors deliberating on who should take the Deputy Speaker’s position following MP Gina’s loss to Prince Guduza. Some advised that she should not stand for election after losing the Speaker’s race and seemingly MP Gina obliged. "We are still trying to talk to MP Gina not to stand for the Deputy Speaker position because it would greatly affect her if she loses," one of the MPs was overheard saying. In his remarks Prince Guduza advised parliamentarians to work as a unit while deliberating on laws that would have a positive influence on government policies. "Everyone working in Parliament should ensure that we work towards curbing corruption," Prince Guduza told the House. In her remarks Deputy Speaker MP Dlamini (Esther) thanked parliamentarians for having confidence in her. Link http://www.times.co.sz/index.php?news=2110
Weekend Observer 11 October 2008 Prince Guduza SPEAKER Stories by Sisho Magagul Prince Guduza has retained the position of Speaker in the House of Assembly. The motion to elect the prince was moved by MP Magwebetane Patrick Mamba, who was seconded by Ntfonjeni MP Henry Dlamini. Prince Guduza beat former speaker Trusty Gina to the position. Gina was nominated by Timothy Myeni, and seconded by MP Siphiwe Kunene. Prince Guduza won the vote with a landslide as he got 41 votes whilst Gina amassed 22 votes. There were 63 legislators present in the House, with the exception of a representative from Kwaluseni where primary elections will be held today. Prince Sihlangusemphi did not show up for unknown reasons. Motivating his motion from the election of Prince Guduza, MP Mamba urged members to vote for the Prince because he apparently had been able to bring the House to order during heated debates. “Prince Guduza is an educated man who has 15 years experience doing Parliament work. In the last Parliament, some debates became heated and emotions flared and Prince Guduza was able to calm the situation and bring order in the House,” he said. He said the prince is a diligent man who is over competent to lead the House and maintain its honourable status. Timothy Myeni, when motivating his motion for the election of Gina into the Speaker position, said Gina is an Iron Lady who has been able to lead the House competently when given the reins during the Speaker’s absence in the last Parliament. “We have seen her handling debates very well. Her election would also indicate to the world that Swaziland recognises women in the country,’ he said. However, Gina lost to the Prince after the vote. Attorney General Majahenkhaba Dlamini led the prince to take the oath at exactly 12:56pm. Mbabane East MP, Esther Dlamini was elected Deputy Speaker of the House. She was nominated by Nkwene MP Aaron Sotja Dladla. She was the only candidate. The house unanimously voted her in. Link http://www.observer.org.sz/weekend/main.php?id=47582&section=mainweek

ACCUSATION OF BRIBERY

Weekend Observer

4 October 2008

…I turned down E60 000 bribe - Mabhanisi

Aspiring Member of Parliament Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini has claimed that former Parliamentarian Sibusiso Nkambule tried to offer him E60 000 if he withdrew his application at the High Court.

Dlamini alleged that Nkambule offered him E60 000 from his gratuity if he dropped the court case and further promised that he would lobby Members of Parliament to elect him into Senate.

He said the conversation occurred on Tuesday during lunch hour at the High Court.

"I turned down the offer because I would have betrayed the people of Kwaluseni if accepted the money," he said.

Dlamini said his lawyer (Professor Msibi) was also aware about the issue.

Contacted for comment, Nkambule said he never at any stage tried to bribe Dlamini by giving him E60 000.

Nkambule said the E60 000 idea was raised in passing by followers of both parties.

"I would not go out of my way and give him so much money," he said.

"What has he done to deserve so much money? I would have not asked him to withdraw the matter.

"I don't fear him. I will still win the elections.

I confident that the results will not change. Even my child can beat him hands down. I'm more than ready for the primary elections."

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/weekend/main.php?id=47393&section=mainweek

COURT ORDERS POLL TO START AGAIN

Weekend Observer

4 October 2008

Kwaluseni elections start afresh

Stories By Sabelo mamba

High Court Judge Qinisile Mabuza has ordered that the primary elections at Kwaluseni Umphakatsi should start afresh.

The judge clarified that the order was in respect of the position for Member of Parliament, not Indvuna Yenkhundla and Bucopho because they were challenged.

Justice Mabuza issued the order following an application brought by 15 voters, who argued that they were denied their constitutional right to vote because ballot papers got finished.

The primary elections were won by former Parliamentarian Sibusiso Nkambule, who was challenged by another election candidate, Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini and the voters.

The judge said the issue of paramount importance was the registrar's report to the effect that she found unused ballot papers inside the ballot box at Nkhanini offices.

"This leaves doubt on the mind of the court whether or not the applicants were able to vote," she said.

"Voting started late and ballot papers arrived late. The polling station ran out of ballot papers at 12:30 p.m and at around 3: 45pm ballot papers were brought."

She observed that the difference of seven votes between Nkambule and Dlamini was fairly narrow.

Nkambule was represented by Mangaliso Nkomonde while Professor Msibi defended Dlamini.

John Msimango appeared for the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).

Link http://www.observer.org.sz/weekend/main.php?id=47392&section=mainweek