MBABANE:Madala Bongnkhosi Mhlanga,the Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly and Mhlangatane Member of Parliament(MP) has denied distributing food sourced from the National Disaster Management Agency(NDMA) to Prime Minister’s Office Portfolio Committee MPs.
This comes after this Swaziland News reported that, MPs who are members of the PM’s Portfolio Committee received food sourced from the NMDA under the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, the food was donated by international donors and meant to benefit poor emaSwati but, ended-up benefiting a few Prime Minister Russell Dlamini’s MPs to enjoy with their families.
When contacted by this publication to clarify the distribution of the food, Ngwempisi MP Bhekibandla Vilakati confirmed receiving the food parcels adding that, it was distributed to them this week as a Christmas gift.
“Kona sikutfolile lokudla batsi sitawudla emakhaya ngu-Khisimusi wetfu,kitsi kuletfwe ngu-Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga.But now that you are saying it came from the Prime Minister,I wasn’t aware”, said the Ngwempisi MP.
But the Deputy Speaker who contacted this journalist on Friday evening, vigorously denied distributing the food to the Prime Minister’s Portfolio Committee members, he said the Ngwempisi MP must clarify who actually gave them the donated food.
“Ngishayelwa ngulomunye Minister lana ufundze le-story utsi “nangu uMhlonishwa ‘Ngubozibovu’ asakufaka kulendzaba”, kani vele angiyati yeNkhosi futsi angikho ku-Portfolio Commitee yaNdvunankhulu.The MP must be honest and clarify who gave them the food”, said the Deputy Speaker.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo declined to comment about the matter.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini allegedly interfered with the operations of the NDMA and went on to distribute food to Mafutseni residents before doing the same to MPs who are members of his Portfolio Committee.
Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga.