TOUGH BUDGET AS MINISTER ‘FAINTS’

LOBAMBA - Talk about a sad ending! This is the best way to describe Minister of Finance, Martin Dlamini’s, last budget speech of the 10th Parliament which he delivered yesterday, where he suddenly became dizzy and paramedics had to be called in.

Dlamini was reading page 13 of his 35-page speech when after an order was issued for a break, he was seen becoming weak as he tried to occupy his seat.

This happened a minute after MP Thuli Dladla had stood up to request that the Speaker, Themba Msibi, allows for a break.
It seems like she made the request after noting that there was something wrong with the minister, as she was sitting on the other end directly facing him.
Dladla submitted that there was a need to take a break so that everyone could follow the speech properly and at the time the minister was already sweating.

As some guests were walking out after the Speaker had agreed to the submission, the minister was seen facing down as he took his seat and Ministers Sibongile Simelane and Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, who were sitting closer to him, gave him support and the latter handed him a bottle of water. 

Right next to the minister was the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Paul Dlamini, who moved closer to give support and was joined by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade  Jabulani Mabuza.
Mabuza was seen carrying a stack of papers which he used to fan the minister who was facing down on his chair.

As more ministers and MPs gathered around the minister, Dladla requested Deputy Speaker Esther Dlamini to order the people who had remained inside the gallery to walk out of the House.
The minister, who was now sweating as if he was coming out of a sauna, was assisted as he walked out of the House towards a private room, situated a few metres from the chambers.

By this time, he was no longer sportting the manly look he had entered wearing and one would have mistaken him for being just a simple man, as he had taken off his blazer, and left with his shirt.
His wife, Victoria, was ushered inside the room together with paramedics who had arrived promptly, and had their kombi parked right at the entrance of Parliament.

Minister Simelane was restless throughout, as she not only took off her shoes but was walking in every direction together with Director  of Health, Dr Vusi Magagula as they were seen coming in and out of the room.
Simelane also requested members of the different media houses to move away from the scene.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: