NTFONJENI FOLK WANT MP SOMPHISI OUT

LOBAMBA – The declaration of a fair and peaceful national elections process is a reality far-removed in some constituencies where corruption is believed to have taken centre-stage.

Members of the Ntfonjeni Inkhundla have been relentless in their fight for justice to be served, following, what they deem, the unlawful election of Member of Parliament (MP), Sifiso Somphisi Magagula.

A party of disgruntled voters from Ntfonjeni have been strongly contesting Magagula’s election. They have boldly stated their disregard for his position as MP, citing that his win was the outcome of corruption which they would neither endorse nor dismiss.

One of the Ntfonjeni community members, Simanga Magagula, has been vocal in relaying the sentiments of the people of Ntfonjeni. He said that they would not accept Magagula as their MP. In fact, he stated that they have adopted one MP from one of the nearest constituencies in his place.

communicating

“Magagula, who elected himself into Parliament, should not bother going to our Inkhundla. We have been communicating with another MP because his constituency is close to ours and we liaise with him on matters pertaining to our communities,” he said.

This faction of voters has vowed to challenge Magagula’s seat in Parliament until an order for re-election was issued by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), or until another seat is created in Parliament.

Magagula revealed that they had visited the EBC offices four times to lodge their complaints and to request that urgent corrective measures be taken. He said that they had been sent back home on all occasions, on the grounds that they did not have substantial evidence to support these allegations.

In a complaint form submitted to EBC, it is alleged that a ballot box was found at Ekujabuleni Primary School Polling Station on the day before the Secondary Elections took place. It states that a group of people, driven by suspicion and shock, then rummaged through it and discovered about 10 ballot papers that had been marked with a cross, per the voting procedure, on Somphisi Magagula’s picture.

encouraged

It is further alleged that the Returning Officer on duty issued ballot papers to voters and encouraged them to vote for the MP in question. Another grievance refers to three buses, two of  which are said to belong to MP Magagula, that were used to ferry voters to the polling station. These voters allegedly arrived at 7.45 p.m. 45 minutes after all polling stations were required to be shut down.

The aggrieved members said it was alarming that the Returning Officer mandated the voting of these individuals when EBC regulations stipulate that all ballot boxes are to be sealed at 7 p.m. sharp.

In response to the complaints form, a response letter from Chief Gija stated that the Commission denied these allegation upon investigating the matter. It was found that the Returning Officer was accompanied by a Royal Eswatini Police Officer and that she had discussed the ballot boxes, which were duly accepted by all, in the presence of the ‘candidate’s agents and polling staff, including security’.

ferried

The allegations that MP Magagula ferried voters to the polling station were simply referenced Section 77  of the Elections Act 6 of 2013 which provides that a person who directly or indirectly corruptly influences another on their voting decision “shall be liable to pay a fine not exceeding E10 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years in or both”.

All in all, Chief Gija’s response referred the aggrieved Ntfonjeni residents to the Elections Act and, eventually, to the High Court.
The closing statement reads: “You are  advised that the Commission cannot issue such an order because it declamatory in nature, but only the High Court of Eswatini can issue such an order”.

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