By Musa Mdluli

NGEVINI: Chief Mshikashika of eNgevini uMphakatsi stopped Siphofaneni Member of Parliament(MP) Nomalungelo ‘LaZwide’ Simelane from addressing an event organised by Philani Maswati Charity Organization.

The event that took place at eNgevini uMphakatsi on Monday, was meant to present elderly people with Christmas gift but, soon after the MP arrived hoping to sit with high profile people including traditionalists, the Chief who was sitting with other traditional leaders was heard saying “uyaphi lona lana kani ungakuphi?. Utawukhuluma emicimbini yebemaphathi aphindze ahlale natsi?”.

After the Chief uttered those words, a few men who were sitting next to him were seen talking and soon thereafter, they told the MP to leave and sit with ordinary people ‘far away’ from the Chief and other important Guests.

“Lona ufuna kuhola lakitsi eMbusweni weTinkhundla aphindze abe ngale emaphathini”, the Chief allegedly said after the men removed the MP from where Very Important Persons(VIPs) were sitting.

Reached for comments on Monday evening after the event, former Minister Lutfo Dlamini, the Philani Maswati Chairman said, he was also surprised why the MP was removed from sitting next to the important Guests.

“I think you must contact the Chief to understand why he did this because I gave him the program, the MP was supposed to sit next to us and further speak during the event but she was stopped.Nami ngibone sekusukuma emadvodza lamatsatfu sekakhuluma odvwa babese batsi akasuke ahambe ayohlala le!!!.But I then called her where she was sitting with ordinary citizens and asked her to come and sit with us when it was time to eat. I also gave her some blankets to present to the elderly so she could take some pictures”, said the Philani Maswati Chairman when asked by editor Zweli Martin Dlamini why the MP was not allowed to address the event and further sit with important Guests.

Ngevini is under Siphofaneni Inkhundla and in most instances, when Philani Maswati Charity Organization visits the various Tinkhundla Centres, an MP of the area either becomes a Master of the Ceremony(MC) or one of the Speakers.

The Siphofaneni MP is alleged to be a member of the Swaziland Liberation Movement(SWALIMO), she participated in the Tinkhundla undemocratic elections thretening to topple or remove King Mswati’s regime from within Parliament.