WHY IS GOVT SILENT ON ALLEGED BURNING OF 14? - TIMOTHY

LOBAMBA – “Why is government silent on the issue of the 14 people who were allegedly killed by being thrown into a fire by the army and police?’

This was asked by Nkilongo Member of Parliament Timothy Myeni in the House of Assembly yesterday at the beginning of the sitting. The MP stood on a point of clarification which he said was directed to the Attorney General, Sifiso Khumalo. Myeni said he was deeply hurt and concerned by government’s silence on things which touched on the peace and stability of the country, emaSwati and the rule of law. He said the AG must clarify and address the issue of allegations that were circulating in particular on online publications and social  media. “These issues which include the resignation of the army commander and a high ranking officer in the police,” said Myeni. He submitted that there was no word from government to give clarification to the people as there were serious allegations which even go as far as touching or damaging the monarch. “Government is quiet and not saying anything. We love the King and we are supposed to defend him during such cases of allegations,” he said.  

Interjected

At this point, the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkernberg, interjected  and said as far as he understood the Standing Orders, a point of clarification could be requested if there was a topic that was being discussed or announced by the Speaker. “To come with a point of correction in the middle of nowhere on another issue, the standing orders doesn’t allow that,” said Rijkenberg. However, the Speaker, Petros Mavimbela, said the House should allow the MP to finish his submission and then they would advise him thereafter. MP Myeni continued to state that there were allegations circulating which put the country in bad light. He said they were receiving calls from people who would ask them why the MPs were quiet on the issues. He said while they were still following these allegations they saw the army commander, Jeffrey Tshabalala, resigning. He said Tshabalala did this without addressing the allegations being made about him on whether they were true or false. “We then witnessed a senior cop resigning and divulging some secrets which disturbed the whole operation of this country including its peace and stability,” said Myeni.

He said the AG should clarify the allegations which also touched on the arresting of the three MPs. He claimed it was reported that the MPs were arrested after an order was issued. “This does not put the country and judiciary in good light. It is disturbing that there can be such allegations and government remains silent,” he said. The MP further said in the circulating allegations through an audio it was alleged that 14 people were thrown into a fire by soldiers. He said, however, government remained silent throughout all these allegations and was not disputing that or giving clarification. “We saw in a recent newspaper publication that human bones were discovered at a dumpsite. It is clear that these allegations were seemingly in line with the truth,” said Myeni.

Allegations

He said those were not dog or donkey bones but those of a human being yet there were allegations that people were thrown into a fire. He said as government and MPs, it didn’t create a good picture. The MP asked why the House was quiet and not moving a motion to investigate the alleged killing of the people. He said an inquest to investigate where the people who were killed including who those who killed them are, was needed. “How is the world and the country viewing us if we keep quiet when people have died,” he wondered. He said he felt bad that a woman and a child were also allegedly thrown into the fire. Myeni said it was disheartening that government would remain so silent. He insisted that a judicial inquest must be undertaken. Myeni further alleged that even with high court judges there were allegations that they act on orders and do not work independently.

Peaceful

He said he was sent by people of Nkilongo to raise this matter which involved the lives of people and also painted the King in a bad light. Myeni said the person who speaks on behalf of the king’s office was also silent including the government’s spokesperson, to clarify on the issues so that the country could remain peaceful and know that the allegations were not true. He asked his colleagues to support him so that the people in the constituencies would be aware that they had asked questions especially since it was people who were killed and not cows.  “Why are we quiet?” Myeni asked.

He said that was the reason they were elected into Parliament; to address such issues if they arose. He thanked the speaker for giving him the opportunity to speak including the MPs who were not present in the House to speak on their behalf. He reiterated that the judicial inquest must be done to show whether the MPs were arrested for legal reasons or because they were ordered. Myeni said if it was an order then clearly none of the MPs were safe. In response, the AG first addressed the Speaker that he should have listened to the submission made by the Finance minister on correcting the MP on when clarification can be sort. He said he had not expected the Speaker to allow Myeni to finish with his submission because by allowing him to do so, the speaker was suggesting that the Nkilongo MP was right.

Procedure

The AG further said the procedure to follow when bringing questions or motions to Parliament was well documented and it came through an order paper instead of just in the middle of nowhere for one to seek clarification. Khumalo said out of courtesy he would address the Nkilongo MP’s concerns. “It is unfortunate that the question I was asked by the MP was all over the place and that there were allegations on social media and he is not asking what the legal issues are,” Khumalo said. He submitted that he was in Parliament to advise on legal questions and legal issues. “He asked about the resignation of people and I fail to understand what the legal issues there are,” said the AG. Khumalo further said his phone was available and it was always open for the MPs to call him. “It makes me question the motive behind the Nkilongo MP’s submission especially because these are allegations on social media,” he submitted.

The AG said he was now expected to address social media allegations in Parliament. Khumalo said the MP should have simply called him and raised whatever questions so that he would have given him answers in private instead of coming to the House as if the AG was there to humiliate him. He said that was why he was questioning the motive behind the question as if they were addressing issues for TV. He said they should address the issues for solutions. In summary, the speaker advised the Nkilongo MP to bring either a question or a motion to the house so that the issue could be addressed.

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