Nothing wrong with accepting bribes from aspiring MPs - PM

LOBAMBA – Prime Minister (PM) Sibusiso Dlamini has said there is nothing wrong with acce-pting bribes from aspiring members of parliament.

He said people can accept the ‘brown envelope’ (bribe) from those illegally campaigning for the national elections.

He said the electorate should not even turn away free food offered to them, but should eat to their heart’s content. However, when the time to vote comes, they should not choose such characters.
The PM was responding to concerns raised by senators about some individuals who had already started campaigning through holding thanksgiving parties and offering food among other items to members of their communities.

He explained: “Campaigning has not begun, so I’m saying they should take the ‘brown envelope’ if that’s what they are offered. Naku- kudla, ngitsi dlani wesutse (if it is food, eat until you’re satisfied).

“Remember that when you finally cast your vote at the polling station you will be alone, these characters will not be there and you must not vote for them.”

He stated that the act of illegal campaigning exposed the calibre of these individuals, and as such, it raised the question of whether this was the type of parliamentarians constituents would be happy with. Meanwhile, Mzwandile Fakudze, Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Deputy Chairman, said he needed time to respond to the PM’s statement on accepting bribes.
He said he wanted to hear it himself from the Parliament Hansard (Recording).

The PM was in senate to respond to all oral questions and motions raised by some senators, as well as deliver his preamble on the Senate Elections Bill of 2013, Elections Bill, 2013 and Parliament Petitions Bill, 2013.
It was the first time he came face to face with senators after his statement a week earlier that 10 of them were elected into office illegally. He was able to justify this and it seemed the legislators understood.

candidates

“This new system of electing senators will allow the 65 members in the House of Assembly to nominate four names of preferred candidates. The numbers will be tallied and if there is no clear winner the second choice nominees will be considered and down to the fourth and last,” he elaborated.

He assured senators that this system was used in other countries and it would bring back the lost credibility in the election of members of the Senate.

Ten of the 30 seats in the Senate come from the House of Assembly through the process of voting. The PM was adamant that senators of the next Parliament would be properly elected.

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