By Zweli Martin Dlamini

Chief Mshikashika of eNgevini undermined the will of the people of Siphofaneni this week when he harassed a duly elected Member of Parliament(MP) Nomalungelo ‘LaZwide’ Simelane, merely for what appears to be a clash of political ideologies.

The Chief is alleged to have ordered his traditionalists during the Philani Maswati Charity event, to expell MP LaZwide and prevent her from sitting with Very Important Persons(VIPs), the event was meant to present Christmas gift to the elderly citizens.

The Chief did not end there, he allegedly stopped the MP from addressing the event despite the fact that, procedurally, when Philani Maswati Charity Organization visits the various Constituencies, an MP of that area normally becomes a Master of Ceremony(MC) or one of the Speakers.

But it should be noted that, the Chief was never elected by the people but his position is an extension of the institution of the Monarchy, what Mshikashika did is a huge political scandal that might in the long run, undermines the integrity of King Mswati.

It was the King who encouraged emaSwati to vote for MPs of their choice under the Tinkhundla system and,the people of Siphofaneni voted for MP LaZwide Simelane.

Therefore, whether Chief Mshikashika like or hate LaZwide, he must respect the will of the people communicated through the ballot box.

In politics tolerance is key and a demonstration of political maturity, you may disagree with a politician but if the people want that individual to represent them in Parliament as a Chief,you have no authority to harass an elected MP.

In the United States(US), Democrats have been labeling President-elect Donald Trump as a person who does not qualify to be a Head of State.

Trump has a highly questionable character but the people of America voted him back to the White House and his critics accepted the outcomes of the elections.

It is important therefore, to remind Chief Mshikashika that his will might not necessarily be the will of the people.

In my view, Chiefs must exist even in the new democratic dispensation because we can’t have communities with no traditional leadership but, we want traditional leaders who respect human rights and the will of the people.

Being a Chief does not mean you have absolute authority over the people such that, you can harass and embarrass an elected MP in front of the people who elected that MP.

Citizens cannot be forced to embrace your political ideology and beliefs just because you are Chief, what is important in politics is respect and/or political tolerance.

Who is Chief Mshikashika after all to undermine the people of Siphofaneni and what authority qualifies him to supersede the will of the people?.

I know many Chiefs in the country even in the Lubombo region who are strong supporters of the institution of the Monarchy, some of them we normally spend hours over the phone speaking about politics and the future of this country.

They know that personally, I want democracy and a country ruled through political parties and/or democratic pluralism, where citizens enjoy the right to elect either political groups to represent them collectively and form a Government or independent candidates.

Some Chiefs are more politically matured but of course, they are serving under an oppressive regime, the Tinkhundla undemocratic system.

But Chief Mshikashika is behaving like a political toddler with absolutely no leadership acumen, a whole Chief who is intimidated by the presence of an elected MP based on conflicting political ideologies.

A Chief is supposed to be a “traditional father” for all citizens within the community, even witches, criminals, individuals with different religious political beliefs should feel accommodated.

Phila Maswati Charity Organization Chairman Lutfo Dlamini is a loyalists of the Tinkhundla system but, he was able to demonstrate political maturity and recognize MP LaZwide during the event, political tolerance is a demonstration of maturity.

In fact the former Labour Minister told this Swaziland News that,he had prepared a program allowing the Siphofaneni MP to address the event but Chief Mshikashika stopped her.

Chiefs must not interfere in politics but, they must remain traditional leaders and while holding their traditional leadership positions, they must be alive to the fact that,within the various Chiefdoms, people have different political views.