LAZWIDE, 6 OTHERS IN RACE TO REPLACE ‘GAWUZELA’

LOBAMBA – The electorate under Siphofaneni Inkhunda have gone a step closer in identifying a replacement for the area’s former Member of Parliament (MP), Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) yesterday announced the leading seven victorious candidates in the primary elections held on Saturday. Among the winners is the former MP’s wife, Lomalungelo LaZwide Simelane, who topped the polls at KaMkhweli constituency.

Feat

LaZwide stands to achieve a rare feat and make history if she wins the main vote, as it has not happened before that a wife replace her husband within the same term of Parliament.
Announcing the winners at the EBC’s offices at Nkhanini in Lobamba yesterday, EBC’s Chairman Prince Mhlabuhlangene Dlamini, said the elections were successfully conducted by the commission, and well received by the electorate in the Hlutse community, Lusabeni community, and the entire Siphofaneni constituents. “Preparations for the primary elections by the commission and our stakeholders were a cut above the rest. The electorate was resolute to exercising its right to vote, hence the high voter turn-out,” he said.

Other winners included Moshoeshoe Nkambule (Madlenya), Khetsile Sikhondze (Maphilingo), Hlobsile Tfwala (Mphumakudze), and Thokozani Nkambule (Nceka). Others were Sabelo Percy Ngcamphalala (Ngevini) and Mzamo Ndwandwe (Tambuti). The chairman pointed out that the fact that results were not challenged showed that voters were content with how the process transpired. He thanked all those who worked with the EBC in ensuring that the poll was peaceful, safe and allowed voters to exercise their constitutional right to choose their representatives. “We acknowledge the commitment demonstrated by our polling personnel in upholding the values of the commission, by ensuring that all election processes were conducted in a fair and transparent manner,” he said.

The chairman also applauded good behaviour by the electorate, as he said they not only adhered to the instructions issued, but also did not cause any drama that would have tarnished the integrity of the elections. “The commission advances its gratitude to our traditional leaders who played a nation-building role by embracing the different characters that exist in the polling divisions. The candidates and their polling agents have been well-mannered too, and served the bigger goal of ensuring that the democratic right of voting was well preserved, no foul play influenced the result of the elections,” he said. The secondary elections at Siphofaneni are scheduled for the 30th of this month. The winner will become the constituency’s MP to replace Simelane, who left his role at the height of political tensions last year. The prince congratulated the winners and said focus would now be shifted to the secondary elections race, which he said will be determined by yet another vote on  July 30, 2022.

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