Conspiracy theories

The alleged distribution of salt and sugar to several homesteads at Nceka under the Siphofaneni inkhundla to solicit votes best describes the bittersweet election this has turned out to be.

A cursory glance at the list of complaints lodged with the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) reads like a comedy script while the casualty list of former MPs and Cabinet ministers also makes good content for authors or film script writers.
Competing for a best-selling drama series, has to be the fight to stay out of jail by two of the most vocal legislators of the past Parliament in Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo and Khubuta’s Charles Myeza.
Myeza, a harsh critic of the current Cabinet, has just been handed down a five year jail term for defrauding government of E600 000 just days after winning the Primary Election.

The much loved Khumalo looks set to spend more nights in jail as more charges have emerged against him arising from an investigation by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) into the operations of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) where he is chairperson.
Other vocal MPs have also had a bumpy ride back to Parliament. The younger  Khumalo Majahodvwa, who will best be remembered for his wish to grab hold of the Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini and ‘shake him’ for his alleged intention to have his brother put behind bars, was dumped out at the traditional government stronghold, Lobamba.

Another harsh critic of government Nkilongo MP Trusty Gina was bungled out by much loved Mr Matata, Hans Steffan. The businessman’s political ambitions came as a surprise to many who could be forgiven to think he was urged to stand just to ensure that the former MP, who had the likes of Marwick Khumalo attend her Primary Election nomination in support, did not return to the august House.
Hlane MP Mduduzi Magagula, the man who exposed the rotten food scandal at the Matsapha Government Stores has also lost the Primary Election.

Complaint

Meanwhile the mover of the no confidence motion against Cabinet former Manzini South MP Thandi Nxumalo may see her election bid scuppered by an official complaint filed by the Moneni Royal Kraal which has written to the EBC complaining about 200 illegal voters. They want the election to be started afresh alleging that three candidates bought textile workers to vote for them.

Another complaint by the Moneni Royal Kraal is that of pre-election campaigning and having voters transported by buses from the textile firms in Matsapha. When this was raised with presiding officers and the police on the day they were told that there was nothing wrong.

These developments certainly make good fodder for a conspiracy theory that the ruling government is out to ensure the troublesome ‘opposition’ is diffused. It could be sheer coincidence that the criminal  cases are unfolding at this critical stage of Myeza and Khumalo’s political careers but  the absence of a determined probe and arrest of ‘friends’ of the government can be held accountable for this perception.
Government was allegedly busy scheming to weaken Parliament, the voters have made no secret of their desire to do away with the current Cabinet and demonstrated this with their votes.

Five ministers have been kicked out by the electorate. A sixth minister, Dvokodvweni MP Foreign Affairs Minister Mtiti Fakudze did not participate in the election, leaving four elected ministers still in the running. 
Two of them, Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Hlobsile Ndlovu and Minister for Agriculture  Clement Dlamini are reportedly lining up a serious legal challenge to their loss citing gross irregularities in the Primary Elections.
The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has confirmed the numerous complaints lodged with the Commission after the Primary Elections.

In a statement, (EBC) Commissioner Chief Gija said it would have been a miracle if everything had gone smoothly saying such could only be achieved by Jesus. He has assured that the Secondary Elections scheduled for September 20 would not have similar problems.
While the assurance is welcome, it is the adjudication of the complaints before them that will restore the confidence of the electorate. The EBC lost control from the beginning when campaign parties were brushed aside because the candidates had not uttered the words “vote for me”.

Then they failed to provide adequate transport and now complaints lodged with EBC include candidates having hired buses or given lifts to voters in violation of the election laws.
The verification of voters on the roll was open to abuse and now we have an election that has, to some extent, been decided by textile factory workers who were transported to many parts of the country in groups. Polling stations were to close at 5pm, but others opened well into the night.

The salt and the sugar may have already been consumed and the cash dished out to the hired voters all used up by now, but we will pay the price for our actions and left to endure the bitter sweet aftertaste of this election, probably until Jesus comes back.
A proper adjudication of the complaints before the EBC is, therefore, of historical, economical, social and judicial significance.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: