Nsangwini chieftaincy dispute
MANZINI - Two factions involved in a chieftaincy dispute at Nsangwini caused confusion on where the EBC civic voter education exercise would be held.
As a result, some residents of the chiefdom, under Mahlangatsha Inkhundla in the Manzini Region, waited for the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) educators in vain last Wednesday and they turned back, while at the other venue, the exercise went ahead.
A source close to the matter said the chiefs names who were involved in the dispute were Chief Mayezi and Chief Masiphula.
The source said according to senior community members under Chief Mayezi (Maseko family), they were allegedly called by EBC officials who told them to notify the residents that the commission would host the civic voter education exercise. Later on, he claimed that EBC called the Maseko family and notified them that they should expect a car that would come to deliver a tent and food on Wednesday.
However, the source said they saw the car going to deliver the items to the other faction, under Chief Masiphula.
Confirmed
Madzala Maseko, who says he was appointed as the rightful chief and was supposed to be blessed by the King, confirmed that he was called by the EBC officials and he relayed the message about the date of the civic voter education exercise. He also confirmed that he received a call from EBC which notified him to expect a tent and food on Wednesday, but they saw the commission’s car going with members of the other faction.
He said on Thursday morning community members came, but the EBC educators did not show up. Later on, he said they called the police at Mankayane Police Station to find out if the educators from EBC had arrived and they were told that they were supposed to be already educating the residents as they had left the police station with other officers a long time ago.
Venue
“When we did our investigations, we learnt that the civic voter education was proceeding at the other venue and the community members who had come to the exercise turned back and they were angry as they wondered why they were invited there,” Maseko said.
Meanwhile, Charles Tsabedze (a former police officer), who said he was the rightful headman of the chiefdom under Chief Masiphula, said they were called by EBC about the date for the civic voter education and they rightfully notified community members. Again, he said on Wednesday, the person whom they chose to accept the tent and food from EBC, called and asked him to transport him to the commission’s officials because they were lost. He said that was why he was seen directing the EBC officials on where to deliver the items, not that he hijacked things that were supposed to be delivered in another area/venue.
On the other hand, EBC communications officer suggested that this publication should contact the senior regional officer or regional secretary or any relevant officer which could assist it with facts. He added that the commission did not discuss issues of chieftaincy disputes.
Again, he said they believed the assignment was carried out accordingly.
Attendance
He added that the commission appreciated the great attendance, given that it was mid-week. Thereafter, he requested other communities to actively participate in similar events.
Meanwhile, Manzini Regional Administrator (RA) Chief Gija said it would be unfortunate if EBC made a mistake by sending a similar signal to different areas. He said he believed EBC knew the rightful chief.
Regarding the dispute, the RA said the matter was old and it had a long history. Thereafter, he said they needed to address the matter and clarify that the rightful chief was Chief Masiphula and the Maseko clan should report to him.