By Bongiwe Dlamini

MTSAMBAMA:Chief Makhosikhosi of Ekwendzeni Chiefdom,says Mtsambama Member of Parliament(MP) Simosakhe Shongwe accused King Mswati of oppressing the people hence,he regrets voting for him.

The sentiments of the Chief as quoted by the Times of eSwatini on Monday,come amid a systematic campaign by the ruling elite to de-campaign pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs),and other political activists who want to stand for elections with an alleged intention of influencing calls for democracy inside Parliament.

The Chief who was speaking during an event at Shiselweni II Constituency organized by pro-Tinkhundla MP Straydon Mpanza the weekend,said MP Simosakhe Shongwe was voted into Parliament by the Tinkhundla and when he arrived there, he started criticizing the same system of governance.

“Wafika MP wetfu wayigucula yonkhe lentfo wayenta yaba ngema siliva, watsi ‘mine hulumemde wetinkhundla ngeke ngihambe naye’; wakhohlwa kutsi ungene ngaye. Wafike watsi ‘Ngwenyama ugcilata bantfu’, yena ngeke ayimele lentfo le,” he said in vernacular. This can be translated to mean that; “Our MP got to Parliament and changed tune, wherein he deserted the Tinkhundla System of Government and forgot he was in Parliament because of the same system. He said the King was abusing the people and he was not going to stand for that,” said the Chief as quoted by the Times.

 But MP Simosakhe Shongwe maintained that was elected by the people not the Chief and as a result, he will always side with the oppressed citizens.

“I stand my ground on what I said and he can stay with his vote. I always speak my mind, which I will stand for and I cannot be stopped by him,” said the MP.