Swazi Observer

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WE WERE PARLIAMENTARIANS OF HIGH INTEGRITY - BENNETT

By Starsky Mkhonta | 2024-09-12

“IN our days when we were in Parliament, we were men and women of true values and of high integrity. “Not the type we see today with elements of corruption and criminality.”

Walter Bennett, former senator and businessman, did not hide how he feels about the lack of commitment by those in Parliament and stated that it was not surprising to him.

He said in the period of 10 years he served as senator, he was working with men and women who had the interest of Emaswati and the country at heart, unlike what was happening these days where parliamentarians were there to save their own interests.

The businessman was the guest speaker at a thanksgiving ceremony of former Shiselweni I Member of Parliament (MP) Patson Khumalo who also served as a senator.

In 1993 to 1998 Khumalo served as an MP and in 1998 to 2003 he was a senator. Bennett served as a senator in that period (1993 to 2003). The ceremony for Khumalo organised by his children was held at his home, Mabonabulawe, which was also attended by another former senator Dr Phetsile Dlamini, who is a former minister of health.

After serving as lawmaker for 10 years, Khumalo, who is a teacher by profession, left to teach matric in South Africa for 17 years and only retired in April. His children decided to honour him by organising the thanksgiving ceremony which was also attended by members of the community.

Bennett said he enjoyed working with Khumalo as they were a crop of parliamentarians who were serious with their work and motions that were moved were those for the interest of the country and not what was happening in parliament these days.

Bennett said he had known Khumalo as a colleague in Parliament where he served as an elected MP and then the following term they were together in the Senate.

He mentioned some of his former colleagues in the Senate, saying those were the days where Parliament really lived up to its mandate. He counted people like Khumalo,

Masalekhaya Simelane, Rowan Howe as well as Dr Phetsile as some of the senators who he teamed up with in moving motions. “We were a Parliament of the people and we served diligently. Hhayi lobusidlani lesesibubona lamuhla,” said Bennett.

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