Africa-Press – Eswatini. Former senator Ngomuyayona Gamedze says he is living in fear after receiving ‘threats’ from erstwhile Siphofaneni Constituency legislator Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane.
He is one of two people who received communication from the former Member of Parliament (MP), which has been construed as threats. Gamedze said he was to register his fears with the police yesterday afternoon when he was contacted by this publication. He said there was a message that was sent to him by the erstwhile Siphofaneni Constituency former legislator, which did not sit well with him and had evoked fear.
Confirmed
Gamedze confirmed that he had received messages, which to him, had an undertone of threats, and was baffled by them as they were baseless allegations. The former deputy Senate president said: “I shall report this to the police as it could lead to my death, given that we’ve seen people dying in the past.” The message, which has been seen by this publication, insinuated that there were allegations being made regarding Simelane’s spouse – Nomalungelo LaZwide Simelane and hence the sender (Gawuzela) was advising Gamedze not to play with fire. The message informed Gamedze that Simelane did not want to be pushed too far. The genesis of the message, which Simelane confirmed to have sent, was said to have been a purported mission to assassinate LaZwide following the organised campaign at Tambuti.
According to Simelane, he received information insinuating that there was a move set to kill his spouse by certain candidates who fell-off the ongoing elections during the primary elections. Simelane supposed that the claims infuriated him and he could not let it slide without warning those who who may have knowledge about the supposed plot to kill his spouse.
LaZwide is in the running for a Parliament seat to represent the Siphofaneni electorate. He said: “May I assure (you) that I did send this text to the above individuals after getting information that there was a plot to assassinate LaZwide. The message is for Gcina and Ngoma.” Simelane said he was warning them against purportedly circulating ‘serious’ allegations. The president of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) emphasised that he stood by his words. “I humbly urge them not to dare do that, if the allegations are true. They better take my warning,” he said.
He supposed that whoever wanted to assassinate LaZwide should be aware that they would need to pass through him. He further expressed hope that the allegations were not true. On the other hand, Gcina Dlamini, who was an MP nominee at KaMkhweli, said he had gathered that there was communication from Simelane supposedly linking him to the plotted murder of LaZwide. He said this baffled him as murder was something that was afar from his thoughts. In fact, Dlamini said: “The allegations being circulated are nothing but a true fabrication of the truth and I don’t know for what purpose.” He said the issue started when they were seen supporting one of the nominees who beat them during the primary elections in his chiefdom. He said when they were at Tamuti, there were concerns raised against their presence and were ordered to exit the venue wherein the organised campaign was hosted. Dlamini said thereafter, he, together with Gamedze and others, left the venue and stayed in their vehicles where they chatted about a variety of issues. He said after the organised campaign was over, they stayed behind and left the venue after 30 minutes or thereabout.
Allegations
Thereon, he said: “We started hearing allegations that we wanted to assassinate LaZwide, yet we were there to support our own candidate. Why would I even want to kill her?” he asked.
Dlamini said he would not shy away from the fact that after losing the elections, he had started campaigning for the person who won, as his quest for development in the area was aligned to what he shared with the public as well. On the other hand, the secondary elections candidate who received a message from Simelane is Moshoeshoe Nkambule. He seeks to be a Member of Parliament for Siphofaneni Constituency as well. Nkambule requested not to comment on the matter at this point as he was yet to consult with his team. The message to Gamedze as is: “Salute Gamedze. Kukhona lengikuvako lengingakutfoli kahle ngendlela laphatseka ngayo LaZwide. Ngiyeluleka nje Madlenya kutsi kuyingoti kudlala ngemlilo endlini yetjani. Ngiyacela utjele na Gcina angihlebi kulelengikushoko. Do share with me his No# if possible. Pass my message to Mshweshwe too. Ngicela kutsi this be politics not the game you are said to be playing. I am not jocking. Just go and campaign for your candidate if you are still interested after the primary but leave LaZwide alone. I hope you get my point clear.
“Loku lengikuvako ngicinisile Gamedze, I won’t explain much. You are a seasoned politician, just campaign for your candidate and leave LaZwide alone. Tell Gcina and the whole team. I wish you could all hear me now in this. I am comfortable with campaigns for elections but not this dirty games reaching me. I do not want to be pushed too far. Unfortunately I will have to push back, I am not sure if we really need to go that far? Drum sense to your people, the earlier the better (sic).”
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