JAN LOSES CASE TO STOP MANZINI NORTH ELECTIONS

MBABANE – Dismissed! The court has dismissed the application filed by aspirant Manzini North MP Jan Sithole.

Sithole had taken the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to court, where he was seeking an order interdicting the commission from conducting the Special voting and Secondary Elections, specifically for the Manzini North Inkhundla.

He wanted the court to interdict EBC from proceeding with the abovementioned electoral process pending finalisation of the matter where Macford Sibandze’s eligibility to stand for elections under Makholweni Umphakatsi was being challenged. Sithole’s application was dismissed by Judge Ticheme Dlamini yesterday evening, after hearing arguments of both parties.  Judge Dlamini said reasons for his judgment would follow in due course.

In a brief interview after the judgment, Sithole said he was saddened that the principle of the rule of law had not been given an opportunity in this case. He said he was still convinced that the environment of free, fair and credible elections was still wanting.

He went on to state that he felt continuing with the elections under the Manzini North Inkhundla without dealing with Sibandze’s matter clouded the environment of free, fair and credible elections. “My call was that the Manzini North elections should be stayed until the pending case against one of the candidates for the Manzini North Inkhundla was resolved,” said Sithole.

He said the rule of law should supersede the rush for elections at all cost. Sithole further pointed out that his call was not to stop the general elections but his focus was specifically on the Manzini North Inkhundla. 

According to Sithole, the application against Sibandze which was still pending in court, was prejudicial to his (Sithole) right to a fair, free and democratic election in the Manzini North Inkhundla, where he and Sibandze are contesting. “I respectfully aver that it is prejudicial to my rights to a free, fair and democratic election for EBC to continue with the process of Special voting in the Manzini North Inkhundla, when one of the contestants’ involvement is being challenged,” argued Sithole.

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