Africa-Press – Eswatini. Members of Parliament were left stunned after Mbelebeleni leader Chief Gcokoma called them strangers and barred them from partaking in a meeting at his chiefdom.
The MPs were left stunned and felt it was a missed opportunity where the residents would have been afforded a chance to voice out their concerns.
The legislators who were cast out by the chief were part of the ministry of justice and constitutional affairs portfolio committee who are currently undertaking the stakeholder consultation exercise on the Marriage Bill and the Matrimonial Property Bill.
This was the third visit to the constituency to engage the Mkhiweni Inkhundla residents on the said Bills.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson Kwaluseni MP Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini said he was shocked by the chief’s reaction when he approached him to inform him that they had come to the chiefdom to present the bills to the residents and get their views.
Dlamini said when he approached the chief to explain their purpose, he was informed that they were not welcome. “He basically informed me that he would not entertain strangers in his chiefdom as he was not informed of our presence,” he said. He said this was a shock to them as MPs because they were of the idea that the purpose of their visit was explained by the resident MP Michael Masuku. The rest of the portfolio committee members were also surprised by the chief’s reaction and felt this was a missed opportunity for the residents who missed out on an opportunity to voice their concerns to the MPs.
One of the committee members said this was not usual and they were all left stunned by his reaction. “As much as he may not have been aware of the purpose of or visit, he should have at least allowed us a few minutes so they we could get the views of the residents not only on the Bills but also other issues of concern they may have.
Some of residents also who were interviewed agreed that this was a missed opportunity for them. One of the residents said they were confused by their chief’s reaction.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
