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MP BREAKS COVID-19 RULES, HOSTS PARTY

By Bongiwe Dlamini | 2020-05-25

KWALUSENI residents were livid after claims that their member of Parliament had hosted a party for over 20 people.

Information gathered from sources close to the matter is to the effect that the party hosted by MP Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini was celebrating the official opening of his new home at Mbikwakhe, Matsapha.

The party reportedly started on Saturday at around 2pm until late at night.

Some of the agitated people who contacted this publication wondered why the legislator was not arrested because he had convened a lot of people, exceeding the permitted number set by government.

The residents said it was disappointing for a legislator to do the direct opposite of what the government had advised against, especially in a place so close to the coronavirus hotpots in the Manzini Region.

Mbikwakhe is closest to two of the COVID-19 red zone areas namely Ludzeludze and Kwaluseni.

It is also said that although the party started during the day, obscure plastic bags were attached on the fence to prevent prying eyes of the public from wandering into the MP’s new homestead, where there was supposedly too much activity.

In addition to the legislator’s breach of the COVID-19 Regulations, the residents said they were further annoyed by the fact that there were alcoholic beverages served to the invited guests.

Further, some of the attendees claimed that when the MP was informed about what onlookers were saying regarding his party, Dlamini allegedly told them that they should eat, drink and be merry and not worry about anything because no one would arrest them.

During the course of the jolly night for the MP and his guests, at around 10pm, two police vans arrived at his home to check if what had been reported to them was true.

Happy

When the law enforcers arrived, it was claimed that Dlamini was not there as he had gone to his other place of abode at Mbhuleni.

Even so, eyewitnesses claimed that the police found a group of happy people who were enjoying alcoholic beverages. However, when sought for comment, the MP vehemently refuted the allegations that he had hosted a party at his home.

Still, he confirmed that the police paid him a visit on Saturday night and that they only found him and his children, which he said was proof enough that there was no party whatsoever at his home.

“I think I know who called the police because they thought I had a party,” Dlamini said with a chuckle in his voice.

The MP further stated that this had everything to do with him winning the national elections in 2018. In this regard, Dlamini said, “sisatodla ema sour grapes for winning the elections because it provoked some people.”

In response to a question about the alcoholic beverages that he supposedly served to his guests, Dlamini said, “bengingabutsatsaphi tjwala loku bavalwa?” meaning, “where would I get alcohol beverages because it has become so scarce and bars are closed.” On another note, when addressing the allegations of using obscure plastics to prevent passersby from prying into his homestead, the legislator said he only used them to allow his wife to be free at her home.

“Ngentele kutsi umkami akhone kuphuma ngemapitikoti lakakhe, and also prevent dust from settling in the house.”

When asked about the police’s visit to the MP’s home, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that the law enforcers responded to calls informing them about the supposed event. However, she said the MP told the police that he had a prayer session.

“The police visited the MP’s home and he was cooperative so much that he dispersed the people immediately,” Vilakati said.

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