Times Of Swaziland: Gelane insults media

Gelane insults media
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 SIBONGILE SUKATI on 18/01/2013 00:00:00


LOBAMBA — Senate President Gelane Zwane yesterday insulted and threatened
members of the media during a meeting in Parliament.
The incident occurred in the presence of over 60 high-ranking government
officials including the King’s Office Principal Chief of Protocol, Prince
Mphiwa.
"F****** ngalabantfu betindzaba," she said, much to the shock of all those
present including the Speaker, Prince Guduza, who was seated next to her.
The Speaker immediately covered his mouth in surprise at hearing Zwane utter
these words.
As she made the utterances, she also gestured by flicking her right arm.
Zwane further went on to say if anything that had been discussed yesterday was
published in the media, then she would ensure that those journalists were barred
from covering the 2013 State Opening of Parliament slated for next month.
All this occurred during the Preparatory Meeting for the 2013 State Opening held
inside the House of Assembly.
The meeting had been convened by Clerk to Parliament, Ndvuna Dlamini, through a
memo where he asked principal secretaries and heads of department to either
avail themselves or officers to attend such an important meeting.
Zwane’s outburst came after Dlamini had said he wanted to mention something
but could not do so because the media was present.
It was at that point that Zwane interjected and said she was glad that Dlamini
had mentioned this.
"Last year the media came here and published all that was discussed at this
meeting," said Zwane.
She said the preparatory meetings were private and she could not understand why
the media published the articles because they were merely discussions.
covered
Of note is that the media was invited by the office of the Clerk to Parliament
and no instructions were given that the event should not be covered.
"They come and they look for stories at these meetings and they reveal the
things we discuss," Zwane said.
She said the meeting was a caucus and again reiterated that she would ensure
that if anything was published, the media would be barred from covering the
event.
After her shocking submission, however, the meeting proceeded without a glitch
as Dlamini moved on to other items on the agenda.
Present at the meeting were members of the royal protocol and security
committee, media practitioners and government officers including parliament
staff members.