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Sibahle, SWADEPA '˜join forces'

09/04/2013 00:00:00 TIMOTHY SIMELANE

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MBABANE – The Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) is holding talks behind closed doors with Sive Siyinqaba, allegedly to discuss rules of engagement and a possible alliance ahead of this year’s general elections.

Sources revealed that the two, who have openly declared that they would stand for the elections, are on a serious mission to share ideas ahead of the elections to be held in about five months’ time.

SWADEPA, whose leader is former strong unionist Jan Sithole, intends to use the election to change the system of governance from Tinkhundla to multiparty democracy.

Meanwhile, Sive Siyinqaba, otherwise known as Sibahle Sinje, has always been participating fully in the elections as part of their founding manifesto was to maintain the status quo. Sources alleged that Sithole, as a result of the mutual understanding, will no longer stand for elections at Lobamba Lomdzala Inkhundla, where he was expected to rival incumbent MP Marwick Khumalo.

Khumalo is a member of Sive Siyinqaba.

A source revealed yesterday: "Sithole is now looking at Manzini North Inkhundla, where the MP is former Minister Macford Sibandze." Sithole qualifies to stand for elections in Manzini North because he runs a business within a residential area at Madonsa Township. "Both political parties continued with meetings even today (yesterday)," the source said, adding that resolutions had still not been finalised.

Sive Siyinqaba’s mouthpiece, Sam Mkhombe, could only confirm that there were ongoing talks between the two parties but declined to expand. "We are merely sharing ideas and no agreement can be confirmed for now. We will announce details in due course," he said. He also said by virtue of being members of the Constituent Assembly, both parties had the leverage to share ideas.

Meanwhile, Swadepa Secretary General Archie Sayed said Sithole’s decision on where to stand for the elections was personal. "The party has no say on where he feels he can best stand for the elections," he said. Sithole could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was off yesterday.

Meanwhile, MP Khumalo said allegations that he had reached an agreement with Sithole over the elections were not true.

"I have not reached any agreement with Sithole over elections. My comment has always been clear – I have no problem with anyone contesting the elections at Lobamba Lomdzala. My term as MP is ending this year. It is only the people of Lobamba Lomdzala who can have a say on whether I should return or not," he said.

Organisations going astray - EBC chief

MBABANE – The Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, Chief Gija, said Sive Siyinqaba and Swadepa were straying if they were now jointly strategising for the general elections.

"The owners of the country have clearly stated that people will stand for elections in their individual capacities and not through political parties. Only an individual who has been nominated at an umphakatsi will be able to stand for the elections. As for entities such as Sive Siyinqaba, I can just call them clubs formed by people who are like minded. I do not foresee them having any influence, whatsoever, in the outcome of the elections," he said.

COMMENTS:

- Shocked: owners of the country have decided? what is the EBC telling the nation? and why did we have to participate in developing the constitution. How sad that organizations like EBC are making us Swazis even more informed to make a choice whether to continue with the joke of individual representation or parties: I go for parties!!
April 9, 2013, 6:31 am, Thulani

- Chief Gija must withdraw his statement if he was quoted correctly. Who are owners of this country? There are assertions that Swaziland is more of a farm than a country and now here is chief Gija implying just that. The people of Swaziland declared at SIBAYA that cabinet should go home, but cabinet is still in office - is it because "owners of the country" decided to ignore the voice of the people?
April 9, 2013, 9:25 am, shoes

- What owners of the country. Doesnt this country belong to the people of Swaziland. Is the EBC to tell the people that they have no say on how they should be govern but rather be told by the "owners of the country". This is a serious cause for concern
April 9, 2013, 9:50 am, Waves Bhembe

- There goes Chief Gija again! Who on earth owns a country really? I mean we all know a country belongs with its citizens, that the general populace indicated they preferred Tinkhundla in 2004 doesnot mean this is what they want today. The political landscape has long shifted, if you asked me. It is mentality of people like Gija that promotes the backwardness in this country. Again, the question we ask is whether the two political parties can be trusted in steering the country and promote accountability of its leaders. I mean jusrt now we have issues with allegations bordering on mismanagement of public funds by some members of these formations. As electorate we need to ask ourselves if we are willing to jump from a frying pan to the oven.
April 9, 2013, 10:09 am, Burns Dlamini ( Lobhoncela)

- I must congratulate the two political parties for finally realizing that together they stand, divided they fall. Tinkhundla served us well until the 80's when the majority of Swazis were uneducated and now the time has come for us to move on to something new. It is the Tinkhundla mentality that would make people like the EBC Chairman to talk of the "owners of this country". Swazi Citizens are the owners of this country and to prove our ownership we pay taxes to run it in the same way a home-owner would pay the mortgage bond to the bank every month. I hope these political parties will band together as one because we really need an opposition in Swaziland for the benefit of the "owners of this country, which is the citizens.
April 9, 2013, 2:23 pm, Mandla

- This is good news for these two political parties. Their manifestos are almost similar so I think they must cooperate in order to win parliamentary seats.
April 9, 2013, 2:42 pm, Politically Savvy

- Wooh Mtfwanenkhosi it looks like you are overtaken by events. Change is here you like it or not we want Political Parties. I think Umntfwanenkhosi has to sort the problems he is currently encountering in his EBC offices. I have heard there is a big fight at EBC between the Secretariat and the Commissioners. It seems as if the Commission does not know or has forgoten its mandate. May I remind the Commission that recruiting falls under Administration. Commission must concentrate on Elections and Boundaries.
April 9, 2013, 4:03 pm, Rubber Ruller