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ELECTIONS JOB: EBC DISMISSES 7 FOR POLITICAL LINKS

15/05/2023 08:41:00 Phiwase Phungwayo

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MANZINI - The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has dismissed seven registration clerks, some of whom were sacked this past weekend.

The registration clerks were relieved of their short-term duties after being reportedly found participating in political demonstrations, or had political affiliations that the commission frowned upon. Since the begining of elections registration last Wednesday, approximately seven registration clerks have been dismissed by the EBC in an ongoing vetting process by the commission, though the commission did not wish to be drawn to confirm the number of clerks who have been relieved of their duties. On Saturday, a member of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), who was a registration clerk at Mafutseni RC Primary School in Manzini, was fired by EBC officials after being found to have participated in political demonstrations.

Dismissed

Senzo Dlamini shared that he was approached by EBC officials, who were in the company of police officers, and was told that he had been dismissed from working in the elections. He said the rationale behind the dismissal was that he subscribed to a political party, which was against the regulations of the commission. Dlamini said just like any human being, he simply applied for the job because he needed one to support his livelihood. Senzo confirmed to this publication that he was a member of PUDEMO. “After being given the instruction to leave, I simply did that,” he said. In another incident, one Lungelo Simelane (37), who was a Registration Clerk deployed at Mtsambama in Hlatikhulu, revealed that he together with four others, were dismissed after they were reportedly told they were involved in political demonstrations.

Narrating how this came about, Simelane said about a fortnight ago, he attended a workshop at Evelyn Baring High School at 4pm, after receiving a phone call from the commission. Subsequent to the workshop, Simelane narrated that they began working on Wednesday (May 10), from 7am until 5pm, until Saturday at 3pm, when he was approached by officials from the commission. “They called me by name and requested me to step aside from my colleagues. The officers told me that ‘angikahlobi’, and I asked what they meant,” Simelane said.
He mentioned that they informed him that he was found to have participated in the June-July political unrest in the country, where there was looting and burning of properties in the Shiselweni Region. Simelane revealed that he was accused of burning textile firms, people’s houses, as well as leading during protest marches. He told this publication that he informed the officials that he had nothing to do with any of the accusations levelled against him, save for fighting for change in Hlatikhulu.

Simelane said he was calling for the refurbishment of damaged roads and accountability from leaders who were expected to make change in the town. Unfortunately, according to Simelane, this resulted in chaos in town. He claimed that he was not part of the arsonists. “I may have been seen walking with the (alleged) arsonists but I did not burn any structures, I wasn’t even carrying any matches. I am not even a member of any political party,” he said. He said he was currently home after the dismissal, as he was now without a job. Simelane said the dismissal came after some residents reportedly called the commission and complained about his participation in the elections as a clerk. His gripe was that he was neither arrested nor charged for any of the allegations levelled against him. He said he also had witnesses who could attest to this. He supposed that there was a relative who was behind his dismissal. Simelane said the relative had accused him of setting his house on fire. When drawn for comment, EBC Communications Officer Mbonisi Bhembe said vetting was still ongoing on registration clerks, as previously highlighted. Bhembe said this was not unique as it also applied to competent witnesses (imisumpe).

Provisions

He was asked to confirm the total number of dismissed elections workers, who were found to have flouted the commission’s provisions. However, Bhembe said he could not reveal the figures as yet. He said the principle of those working in elections was that they should not be biased, and were required to be people who would not put the impartiality of the organisation at risk. “You will recall that elections are quite sensitive and we want to be seen adhering to the principles, which not only belong to Eswatini but also are set by international bodies and other renowned election management bodies,” Bhembe said. The communications officer said he would not delve into the details of what transpired to various individuals. Bhembe said this was an employer/employee issue, which the commission would not want to comment on. Nonetheless, he said the underlying principle was that if one was found having involved him or herself in other activities that would compromise the impartiality of the elections, they would be approached and dismissed.

“This is especially because people were advised to declare their political involvement, which portrays one’s honesty. But none had declared,’’ he said. Bhembe was asked when the vetting process would end and he said it was ongoing. “We will investigate and if we discover any elements of impartiality and those putting the elections at risk, we will rather let go of you than letting go of the elections,” the communications officer reiterated. Comment from PUDEMO Secretary General (SG) Penuel Malinga could not be obtained at the time of compiling this report, as his mobile phone number was not available on the network. Meanwhile, the Political Party Assembly (PPA), which is the umbrella body of political parties in the country, through its Chairperson Nombulelo Motsa, said they got wind of the fact that some political party members were being dismissed by the EBC for affiliating with them. “It is very wrong and discriminatory, a clear indication of what is currently happening in the workplaces, where employers discriminate against employees who are politically affiliated,” Motsa said.

She went on to state that this was an infringement upon the rights of the people concerned and should be done away with, because employers were seen to be validating that it was wrong to be involved in political parties and wanting democracy. She said such raised eyebrows on the current system of government. During the training of the registration clerks, the EBC had advised them not to associate themselves with political parties, as such was against the EBC protocols and code of conduct.

Affiliated

The dismissal of election workers who have been found wanting is not a unique matter, as last Friday, this publication reported about a SWADEPA member who lost the elections job for reportedly being affiliated to the political party. Khaya Gina disclosed that he was dismissed after he was seen wearing a Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) T-shirt, a red beret and carrying a SWADEPA flag during Worker’s Day Celebrations at Mayaluka Stadium. Gina was to be stationed at the Lubombo Region. He further revealed that he received a call from EBC Lubombo Elections Officer Siboniso Nhleko, who informed him that he had been seen in his political party regalia, further reminding him about the provisions on associating with political parties. Gina said he was told that his actions proved that he was a comrade. He was reportedly replaced thereafter.