MPS SLAM GOVT OVER BHANTSHANA BAIL OUT

LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday castigated government for failing to bail out Chief Government Vehicle Inspector Bhantshana Gwebu from jail.
Gwebu, about four weeks ago, was charged with contempt of court after he arrested and charged High Court Judge Esther Ota’s driver.

A warrant for his arrest was issued after Gwebu arrested and charged Ota’s driver, Vusi Tsela, next to Sifundzani Primary School.  Judge Ota was present when Gwebu arrested and charged Tsela for the alleged abuse of the government vehicle. This matter made headlines getting the attention of the newly-elected MPs.
During the Portfolio Committee debate for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in Senate, MPs made it clear that Gwebu was hard done by government, because he had to fend for himself for executing his duties. MP Jan Sithole said it is a cause for concern that an officer carrying out his duties had to pay his own bail.

“After paying he returned to do the very duties that got him arrested in the first place. Let not the abuser of a government vehicle be protected and then the person given the duty of preventing abuse be taken to task,” said Sithole.
It was the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), in which Gwebu is a member that assisted in coming up with E2 500 bail and then the balance as surety. Gwebu had already spent nine days in custody before his release. He was in fact admitted to E15 000 bail by High Court Judge Bheki Maphalala.

Mbabane West MP Johane Shongwe said maybe the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Lindiwe Dlamini, needed to give out a list of individuals who were untouchable even when caught abusing government vehicles. He further said Gwebu’s department needed to be equipped with proper communication equipment and also paid overtime. Zombodze MP Titus Thwala lauded Gwebu for carrying out his duties without fear or favour.
“There was a prime minister of yesteryears who liked to say ‘without fear or favour’. That is what Gwebu has demonstrated and makes us understand,” said Thwala.

Gege MP Mbongiseni Malinga said the Government Vehicle Anti-Abuse unit was doing a commendable job, but questioned how safe was the staff there? He said they needed to work without fear for their own safety. The minister, meanwhile, was asked by the House to give her answers on this matter, among others, in writing. She declined to immediately address the question when approached for comment by the media.  

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