MOST KAMKHWELI RESIDENTS WANT DIALOGUE BEFORE ELECTIONS

SIPHOFANENI – “Kuneligudla.”

Translated to mean ‘we have an impediment’, the above sentiments were shared by Make LaMasuku when making a submission during the civic and voter education hosted by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) at KaMkhweli Umphakatsi under Siphofaneni constituency. A majority of other residents concurred with LaMasuku and requested the EBC to ensure that the country holds a national dialogue before the general elections. The calls were made by a majority of those who made submissions during the civic and voter education held at KaMkhweli Umphakatsi under Chief Prince Mshengu. The commission convened the residents to educate them on the process and procedure of the national elections.

Out of 15 residents who made submissions and asked questions from the commission, the recommendation of a national dialogue was submitted eight times. The community had a number of questions for the EBC team led by Commissioner Mlamuli Shabangu. They questioned the commission on an alleged promise made by its Chairperson Prince Mhlabuhlangene that it was important for the dialogue to be held before the national election. The residents said Prince Mhlabuhlangene made the promise while motivating for participation before the 2022 by-elections to replace axed Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane. They questioned the commission if they had no power to influence that the dialogue happens before the elections.

unrest

The residents said there was a need for the constituency and the country to heal from the aftermath of the political unrest. “It’s a pity that Prince Mhlaba is not here today, I wanted to ask him about a promise he made last year, which was even carried by newspapers that the dialogue will come first before the elections,” said LaMasuku. Themba Ndzinisa corroborated the submission and said it was important for the country to hold the national dialogue before the general elections. He said the political unrest opened a number of wounds which needed to be attended to. He said a dialogue was needed before the election to reunite the nation so that the voting process would be free and fair. Ndzinisa said the situation was not conducive due to animosity within the society. He made an example of the killing of police officers and said some families still needed to heal before they could vote for others.

assisted

“Siphofaneni specifically needed special attention and the national dialogue would have assisted in mending relationships ahead of the elections,” he said. Commissioner Shabangu, in his response, said the issue of a dialogue was being handled by another department in the arms of government but as a commission they would make the recommendation.

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