Nhlambeni MP unaware of DPM motion of contempt

MBABANE – The MP of Nhlambeni Inkhundla, Manzi Zwane, said he was not aware if a motion for contempt proceedings against Themba Masuku was brought before the Speaker because the latter decided which motions made it to the order paper.

Zwane testified yesterday after Nkilongo MP Timothy Myeni. Advocate Gareth Leppan, during cross-examination, had asked the MP if he was aware that the Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, had been subjected to contempt proceedings for issuing the ban on the physical delivery of petitions and if the issuance of the ban was raised in a motion.

According to Zwane, some motions were taken to the Speaker and he was the one who decided whether those motions would see the light of day.

“You can craft a motion and at times you find that the Speaker doesn’t include it in the business of the day, so I can’t say the motion was not brought to the House. A lot of MPs lobbied that the issue be dealt with but in the House it was never deliberated upon,” explained Zwane.

Orders

When asked if Masuku was subjected to contempt proceedings in terms of standing orders, he said there were different committees and if the issue fell under his portfolio he would have known about it.

“To your knowledge, was he subjected to contempt proceedings?” enquired the advocate. MP Zwane said he had never heard about it.

Advocate Leppan said, considering what was said on June 21, 2021, in Parliament and if the DPM breached the resolution, he would have been subjected to contempt proceedings. MP Zwane told the court that the House was adjourned sine die and even if there were issues to be dealt with at the time, it became impossible to do so.

MP Zwane also told the court Parliament had taken many decisions during a caucus. “What I know is that in a caucus you agree on something, you don’t vote and you are expected to abide by the resolution.

“I think the business of the day would not have proceeded had we not taken the resolution that the delivery of petitions must continue. I think the DPM was bound by resolution. According tome, that agreement was binding to all of us as parliamentarians.” MP Zwane narrated.