By Zweli Martin Dlamini

SIPHOFANENI:Senator Mkhululi ‘Dubula’ Dlamini is allegedly ‘moving’ like submarine, preparing to stand for elections within the highly contested Siphofaneni Inkhundla.

On or around 11th June 2023 at or near Tri-Cash Sidvokodvo, the former Hhukwini Member of Parliament(MP) allegedly ‘paid’ people to convince others to be transported to register at Maphilingo uMphakatsi in the Lubombo region,under Siphofaneni Inkhundla.

According to our source who is closer to the Senator’s alleged campaign agents, others were approached within the Matsapha textile factories to register to vote at Siphofaneni Inkhundla.

When conducting the registration exercise, the Senator was allegedly ‘escorted’ by Toyota GD6 vehicles suspected to be belonging to State agents.

For the past two(2) weeks, this Swaziland News has been trying in vain to reach the Senator, all his contacts including a 7606 contract number were not reachable on the network.

Senator Mkhululi is well experienced in such political strategies to win elections,in 2008, he arrived at LaMgabhi eTiyeni few months before the elections, secured a piece of land and subsequently won elections after convincing the voters under Hhukwini iNkhundla.

While campaigning, the Senator used a slogan “Sasha Sibhamu, yaphela Indlala”, he arrived in a place called “Malambane” at Dlangeni and told the residents that he was changing the name to “Masutsane” as hunger within the area would be a thing of the past.

After winning the elections, Dlamini was challenged by his then rival Saladin Magagula in court on allegations that he was not a resident of LaMgabhi eTiyeni under Hhukwini Inkhundla.

But LaMgabhi uMphakatsi traditional authorities defended Dlamini by filing an affidavit in court confirming that he secured a piece of land through kuKhonta, hence by Swazi Law and Custom, he was a resident.

When this journalist went ‘undercover ’ and contacted Hhomu Shongwe, the Maphilingo uMphakatsi Indvuna, Shongwe did not deny that Mkhululi was intending to stand for elections under his uMphakatsi, however, he asked to be contacted later.

“Ubobuye ushaye sitoyiteka kahle, ngisesemhlanganweni ngiko bengikukhatha(meaning: Please call again so we can talk more about what you asking me. I am in a meeting, that’s why I was terminating your call),” said the Maphilingo Royal Kraal Headman(Indvuna).

A questionnaire was then formally sent to the Maphilingo Indvuna, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, Senator Mkhululi ‘Dubula’ Dlamini is not new at Siphofaneni, he has been active in facilitating development projects within the area, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise(ESWADE) Board of Directors.

Information obtained within the area suggests that, Dlamini arrived a few weeks ago at Ethandweni area within Maphilingo uMphakatsi and sponsored a netball tournament for the youth.

It has been disclosed that the Senator has been staying at a Henwood Farm within the Maphilingo uMphakatsi.

The Senator is highly expected to face other hopefuls that include current Siphofaneni MP Nomalungelo Simelane(LaZwide),soccer star Felix Badenhorst, ex-Senate Deputy President Ngomyayona Gamedze, Thandokuhle Bhembe, police officer(Mpolonjeni Siteki Post Commander)Inspector Bongani Jinga Dlamini, Zweli Gamedze(Wendy’s Lodge Director)and Nhlanhla Mzimela Simelane(current Siphofaneni Indvuna YeNkhundla),among others.

It is still not clear if Sabelo Ngcamphalala who recently competed against LaZwide and came second, will stand for the elections.