Bennett suggests E75 000 fine for those threatening electorate
LOBAMBA - Former Senator Walter Bennett has suggested that those who are planning to block people from participating in the national elections should be locked up for life in the country’s prisons.
In his submissions, the former senator submitted that those blocking, inciting or threatening people against participating in the upcoming elections should be fined E75 000 or more.
He went on to state that those who would lie or give false information during voter registration should also be penalised with stiff fines.
“If it was up to me, I would suggest that those blocking and threatening the electorate from participating in the voter registration, further threatening them with violence or arson attacks, should be given stiff penalties not the E20 000 fine you have written in this document,” suggested Bennett.
He highlighted to the portfolio committee that there was no need to sympathise with people who incited violence and threatened people with arson attacks.
“I am a victim of an arson attack and I must point out that this is the only opportunity for emaSwati to fix some of the issues that were instrumental in sparking the political unrest that resulted in the destruction of a litany of government structures, business complexes and even led to the loss of lives of citizens and the security forces. This shouldn’t have happened if these laws could have been amended in time to ensure service delivery,” mentioned Bennett, yesterday.
Further, the former senator pointed out that the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) should have prioritised such laws as it was a responsibility for everyone to protect the Tinkhundla System of Government.
The former senator had been invited on his individual capacity and a stakeholder to make submissions on the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Voters Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
InTrOdUCed
Kwaluseni Member of Parliament Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini was the one who introduced the former senator during the sitting of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Portfolio Committee.
Other notable faces during the sitting were Members of Parliament (MPs), Princess Phumelele, Sandla Fakudze and Richard Masuku.
Bennett didn’t waste any time and first came hard on the EBC for what he described as disrespect to
the people of Eswatini, who were a valuable stakeholder in as far as amendments of laws was concerned.
“I have just been called by the EBC now and I was told that if I am not able to come today then I will not get another opportunity.
“I am wondering why we are being rushed whereas the last elections were held in 2018 and the only time the EBC decides to amend these very important laws in the country is on the eve of elections.
“What have they been doing for all these five years? EBC is never serious with their responsibility and the only noblest thing they can do, is apologise to emaSwati for this disrespect,” pointed out the former senator.
Bennett then lauded the portfolio committee led by the Kwaluseni MP for engaging all stakeholders in the 59 constituencies when amending the Marriage Bill recently. “We saw you on the print and broadcast media ,moving around Eswatini engaging the citizens on the Mar