Home | News | DON’T CALL ME JULIUS MALEMA - SIBUSISO

DON’T CALL ME JULIUS MALEMA - SIBUSISO

21/10/2014 04:43:00 BY STANLEY KHUMALO

Font size:

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Sibusiso Shongwe leaves after officially opening the meeting.

EZULWINI – The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Sibusiso Shongwe has said he should not be called Julius Malema.
The minister made the statement as he was warning a journalist from The Nation Magazine. Shongwe warned the journalist from the monthly magazine that he was not ready to speak to him as the publication had likened him to Malema.

The reporter from the magazine had interjected during the minister’s interview with this reporter when the minister made the statement.
Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, rose to fame during his time as the leader of the African National Congress Youth League. “Nine baka Nation angifuni kukhuluma nani. Ningibita ngaJulius Malema. Lokungibita ngaJulius Malema ninyusa status sakhe lomuntfu,” Shongwe said.

The minister made the comments after the reporter from The Nation had introduced himself.
The minister’s statement can be translated to mean: “I do not want to speak to people from The Nation. You call me Julius Malema. You elevate his status than what he actually is.”

The minister did not explain himself further as he walked away thereafter.
Shongwe rose to prominence locally as a practicing lawyer and Director of Sibusiso B. Shongwe and Associates. He was appointed by His Majesty King Mswati III as a senator and subsequently the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

On another note, Shongwe said he knew nothing about the 30 days he was given to come up with the estate policy Bill. He stated that he was not aware of any time frame issued for him to address the amended estate policy Bill. Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini had earlier said the minister had been given 30 days to come up with a Bill for the estate policy.

“Angimati ke 30 days, umtsatsa kuphi. Nangabe namuva ephalamende hamba phela uyo buta Speaker. Angimati mine.”
The minister’s statement can be translated to mean: “I am not aware of the 30 days, where did you get it from? If you heard that in Parliament then you should interview the Speaker. I am not aware.”

He then called a government official to verify if he was aware of the said 30 days. The official said ‘no minister’.
“Angimati nam” said the minister.

However, Shongwe said he was working on the amended estate policy Bill. This follows the premier’s withdrawal of the estate policy which had been announced by Shongwe in Siteki. The PM had given the minister 30 days to withdraw the policy on the administration of estates as the minister flouted procedure when introducing it.

Minister Sibusiso challenges reporter

EZULWINI – Minister Sibusiso Shongwe has challenged this reporter to be the judge whether he was the umkhuhlane in Cabinet.
This follows that Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini last week admitted that his Cabinet was going through a phase. Dlamini likened the situation to flu (umkhuhlane). Shongwe, when asked if he had anything to do with the sentiments shared by his immediate supervisor, said: “You be the judge!”
The minister also questioned the reporter if he was monitoring his every move.
Shongwe, who missed the prime minister’s breakfast meeting with the Swaziland Editors’ Forum, wondered if this reporter was monitoring his every move when he asked why he missed events that involve Cabinet. “No! Ugadze mine wena? (Are you monitoring me?).”

Minister’s speech marked with biblical scriptures

EZULWINI – Minister Sibusiso Shongwe punctuated his speech with biblical scriptures when officially opening the UNCAC self-assessment capacity building exercise.

Shongwe quoted these verses:
1Peter 1:22-23 which reads: “Since you purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit in sincere love of brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”

James 5:2 which reads: “Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth eaten.”
Psalms 133:1 reads: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity.”

Phillipians 2:14-16 which reads: “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”