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PROTECT TINKHUNDLA – PRINCE WARNS SENATORS

06/06/2023 08:41:00 Timothy Simelane

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LOBAMBA - Senator Prince Hlangabeza sternly warned senators to be vigilent when amending the electoral laws, to protect the Tinkhundla system from its enemies.

He said this in Senate, when senators had just approved an amendment that extended the period which a candidate or voter could stay in an area before being eligible to stand for the elections The Voters Registration Amendment Bill No. 5 extended the period from three to six months.Prince Hlangabeza walked in as the debate was being wound-up for the legislators to proceed to another amendment clause.

exception

He took exception to that the chairperson, Chief Mphatfwa Dlamini, had said the matter had been dealt with and it was time to move on. The prince said he could not just fold his arms while the Tinkhundla system of Government was being undermined. He said even if he matter had been concluded, due to its sensitivity, it was worthwhile starting afresh. “There are people who want to undermine the country’s peace by manipulating these laws. We need to be vigilant. I take exception to the statement that I arrived late when the matter had been delved into.” He insisted that if such issues were allowed to go unchallenged, only the rich would win the elections. “That would be folly because Tinkhundla, by its nature, was not made strictly to benefit the rich, but all people,” he said. His opinion was that the three months period that had been suggested initially was too short a period for one to be eligible to stand for elections. “If you have stayed in the area for just three months, who knows you to elect you to Parliament? This will promote the buying of votes,” he said.

Late

He said if the senators felt like fining him for being late they should go ahead, but he would not keep quiet. Senator Isaac Magagula apologised on behalf of the chairperson and said he had merely meant to say that the issue had been exhausted, not that the prince was now barred from debating it. “Ayidle itishiyele mntfwanenkhosi,” Senator Magagula said extending an apology. Prince Hlangabeza interjected: “Ningagangi ngelive”. Princess Gcebile also appealed for calm from the prince, saying the matter had been exhausted, along the same points of argument that the prince was making. “The minister even gave an answer on the issue,” she said. Prince Hlangabeza, who was intent on debating the issue, wanted to know what the minister had said in response, in his absence.

Senator Moi Moi Masilela said the clause that says people can vote and also be voted for if they have six months residency should be removed because it would promote corruption. However, senators unanimously agreed that six months was a reasonable time frame. “You can’t expect us to elect a teacher who has just been transferred to a school in the area. That undermines the credibility of the elections,” said Chief Zabeni Shiba. Senator Tony Sibandze wanted to know what the Members of Parliament (MPs) had said on the issue. To this, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Pholile Shakantu, said they had noted the six-month period. Some senators had recommended that the law should not accord a candidacy status to one who had just settled in an area, in the past six months, but should only allow such a person to only vote.

Advised

However, Legal Director Lungile Magagula, advised that such could contradict the Constitution. “This must not clash with provisions of the Constitution, which stipulate that Parliament must not pass laws which create imbalance and inequality. “If we say one can vote but not be voted for, Parliament could be creating an inequality,” she said. Senators also amended the law to say that a person intending to register for elections, but lacking a national ID, should obtain a letter from umphakatsi, confirming such a person to be a liSwati. This was suggested to do away with the use of competent witnesses because they were prone to promote dishonesty.