MBABANE - Over 50 residents of Dlangeni chiefdom marched to the royal kraal in protest of the newly- elected Member of Parliament.
The Dlangeni chiefdom falls under the Hhukwini constituency and there are two chiefdoms under it.
The newly-elected MP of this constituency is Mkhululi ‘Madubula’ Dlamini of Lamgabhi chiefdom, who won the elections after beating former SNAT executive member Saladin Magagula with 1 053 votes.
The residents of Dlangeni felt it was unfair for their candidate to lose to Dlamini yet he allegedly did not even own a home in the area.
According to one of the protesting residents, Ntombifuthi Gama, as the electorate they felt it unfair for Dlamini to win, as he did not even stay in the area.
She said they decided to march to the royal kraal so that they could meet Chief Nsukumbili II to register their discontent in the manner in which the elections process was conducted.
"We do not understand how a person who does not even stay here, let alone own a home would win the elections," she said.
They claim Dlamini only khontaed at Lamgabhi a few months ago, he only owns a piece of land in the area.
The residents feel that he won’t be much help, as he would go back to his home area while they the electorate suffer even though there would an MP.
"We want the person whom we know and stays here full time as he would be able to deal with our problems anytime," she said
Asked on who nominated Dlamini, she said he was nominated by the youth of Lamgabhi after allegedly promising them goodies.
Though the over 50 residents could not meet the chief as he was not around but they seemed determined to see the matter being addressed.
They said they were told that the chief said he would call them since the matter was being discussed in certain forums.
When Dlamini was contacted for comment, he said he was aware that some people marched on Monday to eDlangeni Royal Kraal complaining about his win.
He said it was not true that he did not own a home at Lamgabhi as even before Techno Serve employed him he was a farmer based in the area.
"It is not true as they even saw my home on Monday after they sent people to there to check it I had the home," he said.
He said all the allegations they were saying about him were not true, it was only bitterness in some people.
When the Deputy Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, Mzwandile Fakudze, was contacted, he said he knew nothing about the matter.
"I do not know anything about this, if they have complaints they should go to court," he said.
HELL almost broke loose at the Pigg’s Peak Police Station when police tried to ferry two voting boxes leaving seven others behind.
The boxes were destined for KaZinyane polling station on Saturday morning where there was to be the counting of the votes. An eye witness said this happened yesterday at around 5:00am. The police’s action surprised the people who had spent the night at the police station, to make sure the boxes are not tempered with. The witness said the police assured them that everything would be fine but the people heard none of that and demanded that the boxes be ferried all at once.
“The people who were now losing tempers also told the police that there was no way they could take the boxes so early in the morning but if that was the case they (police) were to take all the boxes at once,” he explained. Nine people were competing for the MP seat namely; Mfanzile Dlamini, Elizabeth Kunene, Ndlalifa Masilela, Makhundu Mavuso, Madala Mhlanga, Johannes Ndwandwe, Mbalekelwa Ndwandwe, Simon Ndzabandzaba and Edward Nxumalo. The elections were eventually won by Mbalekelwa with 1994 votes who is now Mhlangatane MP. The source revealed that the police then decided to ferry the boxes at once and thereafter everything went well. “The elections went well after that but the police were warned against taking chances next time around,” said the source.
TENSION is high in Kwaluseni following the cancellation of elections last week. Residents claim there are running battles especially in the night among supporters of two main factions, that of Sibusiso Nkambule and Sibusiso Dlamini. The two have taken one another to court with allegations of unfair practices during electioneering.
On Saturday some residents said they had nothing to do with either candidate but feared that the drawn daggers might lead to serious bloodshed. However it is hoped that the courts will decide on the matter affecting the two.
The secondary elections could not proceed after it was ruled that primary elections should start afresh because of a matter involving nearby Logoba.
Sibusiso 'Mabhanisi' Dlamini, although reluctant to elaborate on the relations between the two factions, he acknowledged that the situation was dangerous because of the running battles.
Patrons at Bhiza's place were huddled in corners and spoke in harshed tones as opoposed to the usual tempo of high spirits.
Battle lines have also been drawn alongside Kwaluseni Rebels, the main football team that is a crowd puller. It is also said some of the candidates engineered in such a way that some stood for the election only to divert votes to one final favourite.
MBABANE- The close to four months national elections process has ended on a note that sees a large number of new faces elected for the parliament seats.
Official results released by the Elections and Boundaries Commission yesterday showed that about 70 percent of the outgoing MPs failed to make it into parliament.
Only 27 percent of the outgoing MPs bounced back but this figure could change if some of the five pending constituencies qualify.
By yesterday, of the 55 former MPs only 15 managed to retain their positions. This means that about 35 failed to make it back to parliament so far.
Some of the outgoing MPs who crashed out include three cabinet ministers, Njabulo Mabuza, Sgayoyo Magongo and Elijah Shongwe.
Some of the MPs crashed out during the nominations, which is the first phase of the elections process. The likes of Dumsile Sukati, Majozi Sithole, Obed Dlamini and Mfomfo Nkhambule did not enter the parliamentary race from the beginning.
Most of them crashed out during the primary elections and the few who went through failed at the end.
Gundwane Gamedze was one of those who won the elections on a clean slate as he got 3 122 votes to retain his position.
Voting results started streamlining in from Saturday with the last few yesterday morning.
The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) released the 50 names of the elected MPs in a press conference at 4pm and hailed the process as historic due to numbers that registered for the elections.
LUBULINI – Ncandvweni Christ Ambassadors lead singer Timothy Myeni showed up for the elections wearing a mask.
The disguise seemed to be a good omen for the award winning artist who emerged a winner of the Lubulini parliamentary elections.
Myeni tricked many a voter with his fake beard as no one could figure out who he was until this newspaper’s photographer sought his name after having taken his picture.
"Who is that old man with an Osama Bin Laden beard?" enquired one voter of his friends who all laughed at the sight of the ‘unknown’ man sporting a unique beard.
Myeni seemed to enjoy the fun of not being recognised but he eventually gave himself away when he blurted in his Zulu accent that he was one of the voters.
One man who was close by quickly figured out who he was and shouted "it’s Timothy", much to the amazement of many.
Myeni was able to even fool the polling officials who could not tell who he was after he greeted and waved at them.
"I wonder who they think I am," Myeni said with a smile.
Myeni is going back to parliament for his second successive term after beating tight competition from former Moneni Pirates soccer star Sanele Gina.
Myeni amassed an impressive 1613 votes while Gina garnered 1305.
PIGG’S PEAK – Hlobsile Ndlovu, re-elected Pigg’s Peak MP, yesterday broke down to tears during a prayer as she made some startling revelations of abuse against her.
She told residents here that she was attacked, cursed and rebuked during her campaign.
Speaking during a thanksgiving prayer that was attended particularly by her supporters and family members at her home place, the Pigg’s Peak Quarters, said some people tried to bring her down with the help of ritual practices.
She was once called into a kombi and shown a box of ritual bones that had been displayed to determine her downfall into the struggle to Parliament. This happened during the nomination exercise.
The ex-deputy Minister of Regional Development and Youth Affairs did not divulge any names.
She also said a traditionalist, who claimed to have been sent by his ancestors, tried to convince Ndlovu to seek the intervention of traditional doctors in order to break a curse clouding her family members.
The traditionalist told Ndlovu that her late father was angry with her and that has created bad luck for the family. However, Ndlovu refused to engage herself in all these ‘absurd’ practices.
"I told myself that God is with me and that I should not be shaken. I proudly told the traditionalist that I couldn’t associate myself with ‘predictions’ but God will pave my way," said the spiritually high Ndlovu before breaking down to tears.
She further told the residents that prayer was the only option that would see the success of the town and its people.
She said her previous term in Parly was unsuccessful because of too much hatred amongst the people she had to work with.
HHUKWINI –Former Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) executive member Saladdin Magagula is out of the race.
Magagula, who is a teacher by profession, lost to TechnoServe employee Mkhululi Dubula Dlamini, by 57 votes. During the counting, no one thought that Dlamini would emerge the winner as Magagula was the favourite just after the primary elections.
Dlamini, who claims to have spent about E5 000 during his campaigns, stated that the only thing that made him successful was that he told the people the truth. "It was not easy because there were only two of us competing, but I had the confidence that I would make it and indeed I have made it. I am really excited about winning," he said.
When asked as to what his first motion would be when he gets to Parliament, he said it would be poverty eradication.
"Poverty is the main issue for me and the rest will follow. I will also be working hand-in- hand with my people and make sure that I give them what they want as I have been chosen by them," he said.
He said he was yet to meet the community members to get their views before going to Parliament.
"Rest assured, I will be working with the people. The people have spoken and it is time I be their voice," he said.
MBABANE – A pastor, whose education level is up to the Junior Certificate level, is Mbabane West’s Member of Parliament.
Leader of the Church of God of Prophesy Pastor Johane Mandlenkosi Shongwe, who is also a former police officer, was able to beat three of his competitors.
He said he failed to complete his education at Swazi National High School due to lack of funds. He said not completing school would not be a hurdle because he had been working with the people as Bucopho for the past five years and understood their needs. He recorded 1 050 votes after the counting session held at the Mbabane Central High School.
Dlamini said his main weapon that helped him to win the elections was the fact that he always told the people that he would be working closely with them.
"There is nothing more. I had to tell them the truth and nothing else," he said.
He pointed out that he was no longer a developer but was now a politician.
When asked if being in parliament would not disturb him as a man of God, he said there was no way he could stop preaching as he is what he is today because of the Lord.
"Believe me my brother. It is important for one to become a Christian. Many people have failed because they have not been able to follow God’s direction. I am here to stay," he said.
Shongwe said he would also be giving others a chance as he did not want to make the parliament seat his.
DOWARD Sihlongonyane has bounced back as the MP of Somntongo Constituency.
He recorded 782 votes to beat his six competitors. In second place was Sandile Nxumalo who recorded 780 votes.
The others were Papa Matsenjwa with 600, Jethro Shiba who recorded 500, Daniel Ndlovu with 200, Siboniso Mkhatshwa who have160 and Sipho Gina, who recorded 300 votes.
Bheki already has a work plan
MTSAMBAMA Member of Parliament (MP) Bheki ‘No Problem’ Mkhonta has promised to work with community members, Bucopho and Indvuna yeNkhundla to develop constituency.
Interviewed yesterday, Mkhonta said he was planning to first have a meeting with all the iimiphakatsis under the constituency where they would discuss the way forward.
He said he already had strategies in mind that he had already set but still needed the people of the area to assist him.
“I hope that we will be able to work as a team and I am at an dvantage because I know all the people’s needs. I know their challenges. I would like to thank all the people who showed their confidence in me by voting for me,” he said.
Mkhonta said he had not yet set the dates on which he would visit the areas for the meetings.
Meanwhile, former radio personality Cedusizi Ndlovu said he was aware that the people did not have water and food, which is one of the things he has to work on as a matter of agency.
“There is totally no hope in the people, so, I have a challenge of bringing it back as soon as I can,” said Ndlovu. He stressed though that with the help of the community members everything would be normal very soon.
Lutfo Dlamini of Ndzingeni, on the other hand, said the people had spoken and he saw nothing wrong with that.
The elections at Mhlangatane Inkhundla were won by Mbalekelwa Ndwandwe, who scooped 1994 votes, beating seven competitors. The number of votes recorded by the other aspiring MPs could not be gathered.
Mkhiweni MP Rodgers ‘Nyonende’ Mamba
“I would like to thank the people for showing confidence in me and promise to work with them. I am sure that they noted that I have qualities and the ability to work on some of the things they want, so, with them we shall conquer.”
Ace Mashwama dribbles his way to victory By Ackel Zwane
SITEKI business magnate Joseph Sousa has won in the parliamentary elections for Siteki Inkhundla.
Former football maestro Nicodenous ‘Ace’ Mashwama of Mpolonjeni has also won in his area.
Sousa stood for the election at kaLanga while Mashwama was in Mpolonjeni.
Voters in this part of the world are particularly interested in development projects that will lead to the provision of water in the drought stricken and impoverished rural area.
There had been misgivings in Mpolonjeni during the primary elections that Mashwama was campaigning even before it was sanctioned. This was after a royal bodyguard paraded a t-shirt written 'Vote for Mashwama' the day the primary elections were shifted to the following day after it was announced that there were no ballot papers.
At kaLanga, there were long queues and speculation was rife that Sousa was the favourite. At Mpolonjeni, Mashwama had gained popularity for his generosity, especially because he runs a church project in which he is pastor.
