MAYIWANE:Bonakele Methula,a member of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO)has defied a resolution by the political party to boycott the upcoming Tinkhundla undemocratic elections,she is currently backing businessman Sicelo Prince Dlamini,a police officer to take over as Mayiwane Member of Parliament(MP).
Residents of Mayiwane who contacted this Swaziland News demanded to know if PUDEMO has changed its resolution to boycott the elections and some clarification if the member was mandated by her party to campaign for the police officer.
“We are seeing a PUDEMO member campaigning for a police officer here at Mayiwane, we want to know if she was mandated by her party to do this.Another thing,please research for us if this police officer is a Mangololo or a comrade so we can decide whether to elect him or not,”said a resident of the area.
Reached for comments,Penuel Malinga,the PUDEMO Secretary General said it was against the political party’s rules to defy a resolution and any member found to be endorsing Tinkhundla elections might be hauled before a disciplinary hearing.
“It’s against the rules of the party to defy a collective decision or a resolution.On the issue you are asking me about,we have disciplinary structures within the organization to deal with such,PUDEMO is against Tinkhundla elections.The matter will be dealt with within the regional structures,”said the Secretary General.
Speaking to this Swaziland News on Wednesday evening,Bonakele Methula,the PUDEMO member did not deny that she was endorsing the police officer to become an MP.
“Firstly,let me clarify that the police officer is my brother and the only member within my family who has been supporting me despite my political beliefs.I am aware of the resolution by my party to boycott elections but,this is my brother,we share the same mother.Mine ngike ngacoshwa ekhaya yeNkhosi ngindzindza latigangeni ngihlupheka,ngabutfwa nguye bhuti,kute i-PUDEMO lengisite ngako but I am a member.My brother,despite being a police officer has been assisting me,he even told other family members that I must not be dumped just because I am a PUDEMO member.I support my brother who has a good heart to stand for elections,”said the PUDEMO member.
Efforts to seek a comment from the police officer proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
Sicelo Prince Dlamini is the Managing Director of First Action Security Services,his name is currently flying high within the area ahead of the Tinkhundla elections.
Businessman Sicelo Prince Dlamini.