Logcogco: Cabinet offside on Magawugawu' show

The show was being broadcast weekly on the national broadcaster and it was hosted by Mduduzi Simelane.

Simelane is also lead singer of the gospel group called Mduduzi Nezinceku Zamagawugawu.

According to the report in the Times Sunday, Cabinet pulled the programme because it was felt that Simelane was using it to campaign for next year’s national general elections.

Through the programme Simelane used his profile to link needy members of society with people and organisations which could meet their needs.

In an interview yesterday afternoon, Chief Logcogco said he was shocked to learn that Cabinet had taken such a step.

He said Cabinet did not have the power to make any pronouncements on issues related to the elections.

"The Elections and Boundaries Commission is supposed to be an independent body and its independence is brought to question when Cabinet makes such pronouncements on next year’s elections," Chief Logcogco said.

He said the only institution which had the power to deliberate and call to order people who were suspected of campaigning for next year’s elections was the EBC itself.

Chief Logcogco said another reason he was concerned about Cabinet’s handling of the TV show was that members of Cabinet, as politicians themselves, could not claim impartiality in the matter.

"I would liken what is happening there to a soccer match.

"Cabinet is a player in the match but through this act they have, all of a sudden, taken the role of referee in the same match they are also playing in and that is obviously wrong," he said.

The chief, who is also a prince said some members may feel personally threatened by Simelane’s popularity, hence the decision to ban him.

He said Simelane was helping people from all over the country through this programme and not just those from his constituency.

"So how can they say he was campaigning when he was helping people from outside his constituency who will not even be able to vote for him come election time?" the Prince wondered.

He went on to say it was even wrong for Cabinet to bar Members of Parliament from using both national broadcasters to discuss what they were doing for their constituencies.

He said Cabinet’s actions bring into question the credibility of the entire election process.

"We cannot take this lying down," Chief Logcogco said.

- A giant has woken up. At last Nkhosi you are doing are walking in the footsteps of you lineage upto your Father His Royal Highness Prince Sozisa. I am proud to know you but cannot say the same about the so-called cabinet.
August 28, 2012, 8:16 am, Dzingiswako 

- What if the man does not want to be elected, he is just helping the needy? Lets wait for his response before we shut down the programme, oh I almost forgot we live in "Animal Farm"
August 29, 2012, 11:32 am, Sniper (mzilikazips@yahoo.com)

- SIYABONGA NKHOSI this is what we want, but sale nivumela emaParty why remain banned. Kusitani kutsi sichubeke neOhalamende lengachallenjwa. Cabinat's move to bann Simelane"s programme was supposed to be challenged by opposition parties in Parly but aphi...
August 29, 2012, 2:04 pm, Mcebo (mcebodlamini@gmail.com)

- Sir, I beg to differ from Chief Logcogco's view point on the decision taken by the Cabinet to ban Mr Simelane's prgram on TV. I believe the decision taken was justified. Mr Simelane launched a very important project that of helping the needy in the communities in our country. Noone can dispute that the program touched and indeed changed the lives of many Swazi and non-Swazi people alike and noone had anything against this noble project (Makhelwane Simubona Ngetento). Mduduzi has been doing so well until it became apparent that he had intentions to join politics. If its very true that he intends to stand for elections next year, then thats a compromise of christian values and standards. As a christian doing God's work, Mr Simelane should either stick to Makhelwane project and leave politics to politicians, otherwise the Cabinet is justified if its true that he intends to join the political field and that will be a betrayal of the project sponsors and well wishers' trust.
August 29, 2012, 2:04 pm, Chris Mncedisi (chrismncedisi@yahoo.com)

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: