‘We’re not opposing Bhutana’
LOBAMBA – Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Dlamini has denied that Parliament was making means to review the Supreme Court’s judgement that cleared Senate candidate Bhutana Dlamini to participate in elections for a Senate seat.
The PM said the only concern for government was a provision in the judgment which government interprets as saying that it is not necessary to vet candidates for election. “If we do not vet candidates, then we will find ourselves with thugs and untrustworthy people in Parliament,” he said.
RESPONDING
The premier was responding to concerns raised by some MPs who felt it was unfair to the election hopeful Bhutana because he had gone through all the necessary stages to qualify for the Senate elections. The PM said in the case of Bhutana, the only opinion that government had was that there was currently too short a period before the current term of government ends next year.
MPs who had spoken strongly on the issue were Lutfo Dlamini, Bhutana’s brother, who said he did not understand why government was opposing him.
“It was said that he did not qualify because he owed E600. But he has gone to court to challenge government and won, yet he is still opposed, Can you tell me how much has government spent to try and get that E600,” he asked. Nkhaba MP Zakhele Magongo wanted to PM to explain to the House why Bhutana was being opposed. “Who is this person who does not want Bhutana to be a senator? Tell us how his election into Senate will affect the general elections next year,” he queried.