Times Of Swaziland: Sikhatsi, Dumisani win by toss of coin

Sikhatsi, Dumisani win by toss of coin
================================================================================
 KWANELE DHLADHLA on 05/11/2012 00:00:00


MBABANE- Manzini Ward Two Councillor Dumisani Gwebu and Mbabane Ward Four
Councillor Sikhatsi Dlamini won the Local Government Elections by the toss of a
coin.
This was after both councillors’ votes tied with competitors at their
respective wards.
Conducted
Mbabane City Council Returning Officer, Gordon Mbuli, said the coin-toss was
conducted in accordance with the Elections Regulations of the Urban Government
Act of 1969.
"The Mbabane councillors, Former Mbabane City Council Mayor Sikhatsi Dlamini and
Grace Bhembe were tied on 67 votes when the voting results were calculated.
"Therefore, because there had to be one winner, we tossed a coin where Sikhatsi
emerged the winner," Mbuli disclosed.
In Manzini, Returning Officer Bhekithemba Matsebula said Councillor Dumisani
Gwebu won the elections after a coin-toss too. He said Gwebu was tied with the
runner-up Leonard Dlamini on 11 votes.
"The competition was tough in Ward Two, which I believe is a sign that local
government elections continue to gain popularity among the city’s residents
and business owners," said Matsebula.
Impressed
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Clifford
Mamba, said the ministry was impressed about the outcome of local government
elections.
He said the ministry would today meet officials who had been in charge of the
elections to receive a full report on the outcome of the election process.
"There have been no negative reports reported to the ministry on the elections
this year. We are happy that all processes involved in electing the councillors
have been smoothly finalised. We are now looking forward to meeting the
councillors who will constitute the councils," Mamba said.
Procedure
He added that the ministry would soon announce the dates for orientation classes
for the newly elected councillors.
"As per general procedure, councillors will soon attend orientation courses
where they will be told about all expectations and the code of conduct," added
Mamba.
Over 10 000 people participated in the Local Government Elections voting
process, while 13 392 people had registered.
Two men found with 10 voters’ cards
SITEKI - Two men were taken in for questioning by the police after being found
with 10 voters’ cards each on Saturday.
The two men were detained by police officers who were providing security in the
Siteki Ward One voting station.
According to sources, one of the men told police that he was the campaign
manager (galajane) for one of the aspiring councillors.
"He, however, failed to explain when the police questioned him about the 10
voters’ cards he was carrying. He was detained and taken to the police station
for questioning," said a source.
Questioning
During the questioning, election officials are said to have been called to
examine the authenticity of the voters’ cards.
A source said the voters’ cards were found to be authentic but the two men
were then questioned about the owners of the voters’ cards.
After some time the two men were released.
Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Wendy Hleta, confirmed the
incident.
"I can confirm that two people were taken in for questioning after they were
found with extra voters’ cards. Police are still investigating," she said.
In his closing remarks soon after winners were announced, Returning Officer,
Justice Qwabe said the elections went well despite a few challenges.
Disappointment
However, some people expressed disappointment in the manner in which this
incident was handled.
"Even though the voters’ cards were found to be authentic, it is against the
election rules and regulations to carry other people’s voter cards," said a
resident.
The Ward One elections were won by Former Mayor, Norman Sigwane who beat former
Miss Deaf Director Sizwe Ndlela by 64 votes to 23.
Call me Robert Mugabe -longest serving councillor
SITEKI - Longest serving councillor, Mvila Dlamini, caused laughter soon after
being declared winner for Siteki Ward Three, when he said local residents must
now call him Robert Mugabe.
Dlamini has been a councillor for 20 years now after joining the council in
1992.
Despite being closely contested, Dlamini easily emerged victorious beating
favourite competitors Nontobeko Dlamini and Elijah Ntshangase, the older brother
of Minister of Education and Training, Wilson Ntshangase.
Dlamini, however, faced strong challenge from Esau Ndzimandze, whom he beat by
only seven votes.
Soon after being announced the winner, Dlamini stood up and ridiculed his
competitors.
Stitches
"Lehla futsi libhokisi," he said sending the audience into stitches.
This is loosely translated, "The coffin has been lowered again"
In a short interview outside the counting arena, Dlamini said he was excited by
the victory.
He further revealed that he was not interested in taking part in this year’s
elections but was forced to by negative comments he heard from people.
"Having served my town for the past 20 years, I think this is my last term. I
will not stand for Local Government Elections again," he said.
There was a bit of a disturbance during the counting process when an Asian man
entered the arena.
Declaration Returning Officer, Justice Qwabe told the Asian that he was not
allowed into the arena since he had not signed the declaration of secrecy forms.
The Asian, however, insisted saying he had signed the forms with one of the
aspiring councillors.
He was eventually led away by a female police officer.
-------------------------
COMMENTS:
- The culture of voting is not so impressive in our society, a miegre 67 votes
renders one a winner. The same thing applies even to national elections, where
we see people winning parliament seats with as low as 300 votes. This simply
shows that Swazis are a passive nation, they are willing to go with whatever is
put on the table, oblivious of their voting power or their ability to contribute
to their fate as a nation. I wonder what needs to be done to change this
situation.
November 5, 2012, 5:01 pm, Voting Man