’”‘Œ‡…–• ƒ• …ƒ’ƒ‹‰ •–”ƒ–‡‰›

that as residents, they were following with keen interest the recent handover events of machinery and trucks to different income-generating projects in chiefdoms aimed at ensuring that these associations generated income to improve their livelihoods. Mazibuko said such a strategy appeared to them as a campaigning initiative employed by government to lure voters to vote for the outgoing MPs.

Elections

The senior citizen noted that there was a need to level the ground for those aspiring to be nominated and elected in the upcoming national elections.

He also urged the EBC to teach the electorate about the roles of bucopho, indvuna and MP, because they clashed on their roles while executing their duties.

“It appears government is campaigning for the outgoing MPs through the handing over of machinery and trucks to associations across the country. It is imperative that government suspends this exercise and undertake it after the elections and this includes the donation of food parcels,” he said.

Supporting Mazibuko’s submission, John Maziya said there was a need for the revision of the laws governing the RDF in enabling residents to individually access funds.

Also echoing Mazibuko was Sifiso Shabangu, who mentioned that there was a huge need for the commission to educate the nation about elections and what it entailed to participate in voting as they lacked knowledge.

Responding to this question, Nhleko clarified that the commission worked hand-in-hand with the ministry but it was within the ministry’s jurisdiction to undertake their programmes in line with government’s scope of service delivery across the country.

In another submission made by Ansah Banda, the resident asked the commission if it was prepared to ensure safety and peace during the elections, especially for the nominated candidates, considering that there were threats that those who would stand for elections and be nominated would have their properties torched.

He further asked why the commission did not engage government in holding the national dialogue first before the national elections, to allow the nation to have a say on how they wanted to be governed.

Prominent

“We have seen prominent figures and members of the security forces being killed during the current volatile political situation in the country. Has the commission considered providing security for those to participate and be nominated during the elections?” he asked. Also responding to his question, Nhleko told the electorate that the commission, through working with the security cluster, would ensure that voters were safe and encouraged the residents to work collectively with the police in reporting any threats during the elections.