Candidate vying for MP seat runs to cops

PUDEMO (People’s United Democratic Movement) was pronounced a terrorist group by government some years ago and it was banned from conducting its business in the country.

Elyan Masuku, the winner from the Ebenezer Umphakatsi, filed the complaint with the Desk Officer, Inspector Fihlo Mabuza, before noon on Friday.

He said a statement was not recorded but was assured by the desk officer that the matter would be dealt with accordingly as he was still to inform the Station Commander, Superintendent Sibongile Kunene.

He also said he was assured that he would be called if needed to clarify certain issues relating to the accusations .

During an interview on Saturday at the Mtsambama constituency offices (Inkhundla), Masuku said he was hurt by the accusations because in his entire life he was not affiliated to any political organisation.

Masuku said he opted to report the matter to the police so that they would investigate if he is affliated to any political party. He said he was not afraid of the results because he was sure that his name would be cleared.

Masuku, who got 122 votes under the Ebenezer Umphakatsi during the primary elections held last Saturday, said he was informed by a concerned community member about the accusations who further advised him to report the matter to the police. He said he was confused about why an accusation would emanate at a time when he was campaigning for votes against five other candidates from other chiefdoms falling under the Mtsambama Inkhundla to replace the late Bheki Mkhonta.

The five other candidates who will be competing in the secondary elections are Mkhululi Dlamini from the Magele Umphakatsi, Teddy Mavuso from the KaMbhoke Umphakatsi, Mlamuli Motsa from Ekwendzeni Umphakatsi, Vusumuzi Mkhwanazi from KaZenzile Umphakatsi and Moses Simelane from Bhanganoma Umphakatsi. When asked if it was not a ploy to destabilise him in the campaign Masuku said: "Why should I be the target when there are two candidates that got better votes than me in the primary elections? The accusations are very serious because they touch on my personal integrity.

 The police have my fingerprints which were taken for screening after being nominated and this alone gives me the courage to confidently state that I am clean in as far as political affiliation is concerned," he said.

Masuku, an employee of the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC) and a former football player for Hlatikhulu Tycoons FC, beat nine candidates who were also nominated under the Ebenezer Umphakatsi to compete for the position of Mtsambama MP.

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