MPs irked as Timothy calls them ‘tilayilayi’

LOBAMBA – Yesterday, Nkilongo Member of Parliament (MP) Timothy Myeni irked some of his colleagues when he said they were sleeping on the job.

MP Myeni also called them ‘tilayilayi’. The MP is the Chairperson of the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development Portfolio Committee. Yesterday, the committee met with the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, and other senior officials from the ministry.

The purpose of the meeting was to debate the ministry’s second quarter report for the 2022/2023 financial year.

MP Myeni said the MPs were sleeping on the jobs because they had the powers to pass laws that would bring the necessary changes.

He said this was because a concern had been raised to the effect that there was a need for a law to regulate the distribution of funds in the Regional Development Fund (RDF). He said currently, a mere group of 10 people could access over E1.5 million, whereas the money could be distributed in a manner that would benefit more people other than just a group of 10.

Regarding the distribution of funds under the RDF, Manzini South MP Thandi Nxumalo said there was a need to scale down the funds received by the applicants in order to be shared among many other people other than just 10.

MP Myeni said there was no need for the MPs to flood the minister with questions regarding the fund, but they should pass laws that would govern the operations of that fund.

MP Myeni stated that despite laws governing the fund, MPs had the powers to amend the Constitution to allow for changes.

His reason for saying the august House was sleeping on the job was that the very same MPs were supposed to take decisions over Cabinet, not the other way round.

However, some MPs were not pleased with MP Myeni’s utterance and calling them names. The MPs demanded that MP Myeni should withdraw his statement.

There was mumbling in the House as some legislators laughed at MP Myeni’s statement, while others were calling for him to withdraw it.

Hhukwini MP Nkhanyeti Ngwenya told MP Myeni that his constituents did not elect

but they elected an Honourable

Nkilongo Member of Parliament Timothy Myeni in this file pic. (R) Siphofaneni Member of Parliament Nomalungelo LaZwide Simelane making her submissions in Parliament yesterday.