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Mbabane - Chaos erupted in the House of Assembly in Mbabane on Thursday when an MP made startling allegations that 26 members of the legislature were to receive bribes in exchange for abstaining from voting on the controversial proposal to buy a R450-million jet for King Mswati III.
Ntuthuko Dlamini stunned the legislature when he said he had information that the 26 MPs were to be given R76 000 each in exchange for not voting on whether parliament should give a thumbs-up for the purchase of the jet.
The allegation by Dlamini was described as "serious" by the speaker of parliament, who added that it was a matter that needed to be investigated by police.
He also said he was taken aback by the revelation as Dlamini had not shared the information with him before presenting it before parliament.
The government now finds itself in a difficult position
More drama unfolded when a second MP, Mahlaba Mamba, stood up and said he had seen the list of MPs who were to receive bribes.
Mamba mentioned by name the MPs who were to receive the kickbacks.
The speaker tried to maintain order as chaos erupted, with boisterous MPs shouting at the top of their voices.
One MP said it was wrong for Dlamini to make the allegations in the legislature as he should have reported the matter to the police.
The allegation by Dlamini came as the Swaziland government faces increasing pressure from the international donor community to abandon its plan to buy the aircraft for the king - who now uses chartered aircraft.
This week the United States and Britain threatened to withdraw foreign aid to the tiny country should the governement forge ahead with its plan to buy the R450-million jet.
When the cabinet presented the plan to acquire the aircraft to parliament, the House of Assembly rejected it and on Thursday the ministers were to have presented a redrafted version of the plan to the legislatures, but they (ministers) snubbed the sitting.
They are reported to have attended a three-day indaba to deliberate on the issue.
As the controversy over the aircraft gets murkier by the day, it is claimed that the government now finds itself in a difficult position.
The aviation company, Bombardier Aerospace, which is handling the deal, has made it clear that the government would forfeit a R28-million deposit and penalties would be imposed in the event of the deal being cancelled.
The cabinet was expected to present its second report on the jet this week and all eyes will be on whether the assembly will approve it this time.
