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Friday 15 March 2024

Swaziland Newsletter No. 818 – 15 March 2024

 Swaziland Newsletter No. 818 – 15 March 2024

News from and about Swaziland, compiled by Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk) in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com), and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge.

 

Girl sexually harassed in class, cops investigate

By Joseph Zulu, eSwatini News, 9 March 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Sexual harassment is now happening during class time.

In a disturbing incident that shocked a community in the northern Hhohho, a female pupil was allegedly subjected to sexual harassment during class time at a high school near Pigg’s Peak. The incident, which occurred approximately a week ago, has left the community angry and demanding justice. They are complaining that the alleged perpetrators of the incident are roaming freely.

According to reports obtained by Eswatini News, the female pupil, *Dela, was allegedly fondled by her male colleagues, *Juba and *Joko. It is said the alleged sexual harassment happened in full view of other pupils. The class teacher is said to have been away at the time of the incident, but was informed later. It was said to have all started when Juba grabbed Dela and forced her to sit onto Joko’s lap. Despite her residences, Juba is said to have forced Dela, who is said to be a teenager to sit on the lap of Joko. After Dela had allegedly been thrown onto Joko’s lap, Joko is said to have held her tightly, ensuring that she could not escape.

While Joko held her, it is alleged that both male pupils then proceeded to fondle her. It is alleged that Dela had her breasts, buttocks and even private parts fondled. After the embarrassing incident, Dela is said to have reported what had transpired to one of the teachers, hoping that this would result in the punishment of the two boys but this did not happen. Instead, the teacher is alleged to have said the school’s authorities needed to be informed about it.

Upon being informed about the incident, the school’s authorities reportedly advised that the alleged assault was a criminal matter relating to the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act. The school is then said to have advised that the matter should be reported to the police because it was now beyond their authority to act on it.
An enquiry into the matter is said to have been lodged at the Pigg’s Peak Police Station by officers under the anti-domestic violence unit.

News of the incident quickly spread beyond the confines of the school, reaching concerned parents around the community where the school is situated. It is alleged that some of the parents expressed dismay and sought answers, demanding to know if any action had been taken against the two male pupils, who allegedly fondled the teenager.

In response to growing public outrage, police officers visited the school last Wednesday to follow up on the incident and gather further information.

The presence of the police, according to some of the parents is said to have calmed down some of the angry parents.

Despite the fact that the affected pupils are reportedly at least 18 years of age, it was gathered that the police had indicated that they would also engage the parents because the incident happened within the school setting.

*Not real name to protect complainant from victimisation.

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/144273-girl-sexually-harassed-in-class-cops-investigate.html

See also

Teachers in love affairs with pupils to be fired

http://www.times.co.sz/news/144274-teachers-in-love-affairs-with-pupils-to-be-fired.html

 

Heatwave leaves over 1 000 people hungry, 70 cattle dead

By Mthunzi Mdluli, Times of eSwatini, 11 March 2024

SOURCE 

LUBULI: The sweltering heatwave caused the death of about 70 cattle and scorched vast acres of crops and vegetation at Lubuli, leaving over 1 000 in dire need of food.

Lubuli is in the Lubombo Region. Distraught residents said they were experiencing one of the worst drought spells, which has turned lush vegetation into arid fields of brown shrivelled crops, in the region known for poverty and hunger. Lubuli residents believe they were targeted by the dreaded El Niño, which is a climate phenomenon causing dry weather conditions, when rains are extremely scarce. National authorities have said the drought will worsen the ailing food security by drastically reducing the country’s maize harvest, and potentially increasing the need to import more food. Residents took the Times of Eswatini on a field trip, where this reporter was shown carcasses cows and dried up rivers and dams. Some boreholes can no longer produce groundwater. Lubuli lies in the Lowveld Region, where on some days, temperatures soar to 40 degrees Celsius.

Horrified farmers said their crops started drying up between December 2023 and January this year. They said the situation worsened last month, when the area did not receive a drop of rainfall. The farmers said due to insufficient rainfall and extreme temperatures, it was impossible for them to get any harvest from crops this year. Some of the farmers lamented having spent their savings growing crops this season. Ntuthwakazi Bucopho Bonginkosi Mabaso said Lubuli had been perched in dry weather conditions since September 2023, but the worst was witnessed in October, when the soil lost moisture, resulting in crops waning. He said the entire Lubuli Constituency, comprising of Bhadlane, Sinyamantulwa, Ntuthwakazi, KaMngometulu, Ngonini, Mconcwane, among others, were affected.

Mabaso said some farmers resolved to plant afresh, with the hope of rains falling towards the end of 2023. “Kushe konkhe emasini (everything was scorched in the fields). We will not harvest anything this season. Even in 2014, this area was not spared from El Niño since crops, livestock and rivers dried up.  I presume that farmers will only harvest one or two per cent of what they initially expected,” said Mabaso. Those likely to reap anything, he said, were those who had planted crops much earlier, in October last year. Mabaso said when the heatwave started, he had assumed that it would be a temporary condition, not knowing that El Niño had struck the whole area. He said: “When some of the rivers and boreholes dried up, we thought it was the work of the proverbial snake haunting the area (kunenyoka kulendzawo). The majority of farmers who planted their fields in December will harvest nothing, since the moisture had long dried up.”

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/144300-heatwave-leaves-over-1-000-people-hungry-70-cattle-dead.html

Cyclone Filipo impact felt in Lubombo

By Wonderboy Dlamini, eSwatini Observer, 14 March 2024

SOURCE



THE eastern part of the Lubombo region experienced torrential rains in the early hours of yesterday [Wednesday 13 March 2024] as the effects of tropical Cyclone Fillipo which dominated in Mozambique overlapped to Eswatini.

Many parts of the Lubombo region, in general, received significant amounts of rainfall between Tuesday night and yesterday.

The heavy rains were accompanied with strong winds, which left a trail of destruction in some parts of the region. As a result of the cyclone, some places and essential centres were inaccessible due to overflowing rivers and streams. Some of the areas which were affected included Ka-Langa, Sitsatsaweni, Makhewu and  Lomahasha.

Some members of the public took caution and stayed home after government issued a warning on the cyclone impact. The overflowing streams and members of the public having opted to stay away saw Siteki town deserted as some shops were also closed. Siteki Bus Rank was almost empty as more than 80 per cent of public transport vehicles were not available. Secretary General of Lubombo Kombi and Mid-bus Association, Cromwell Shongwe said some public transport operators opted to park their vehicles due to the unstable weather conditions. Shongwe said most routes; especially gravel ones, were inaccessible.

Almost all public transport vehicles that service rural communities were not on the road for the better part of the day. Shongwe said this was also because some people had opted to stay home. These included pupils, who commute to school on a daily basis. Most schools had advised pupils to stay at home.

Meanwhile, Lugongolweni Indvuna Yenkhundla Jabulani Mamba said there had been minimum damage caused by the heavy rainfall and strong winds under the inkhundla. Mamba said two homesteads around Makhewu had their stick and mud houses destroyed by the rains.

Moreover, Mamba said some areas under the inkhundla were inaccessible due to overflowing streams and footbridges.

"We currently have a challenge at Sitsatsaweni whereby residents are unable to cross the Manzamnyama stream which usually overflows during rainy days," said Mamba.

He also reported that most parts of the constituency were without electricity for the better part of the day after some  poles were destroyed  by the strong winds.

Similar situations were faced at Maphungwane, Tikhuba and Mambane communities under Matsanjeni North Inkhundla. The inkhundla experienced an electricity blackout since the early hours of yesterday. A resident of Maphungwane, Sabelo Matsenjwa said they also experienced networks blackout as a result of the unavailability of electricity.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22179

 

eSwatini Queen ‘forces’ young girls to attend traditional alcohol drinking ceremony in violation of children protection laws, King’s Spokesperson says regulations only prevent them from drinking

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 11 March, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Eswatini Queen Ntombi Tfwala allegedly violated international and the country’s laws protecting children by exposing young girls to a traditional alcohol drinking ceremony held at Hlane Royal Residence last weekend.

The Buganu Ceremony is an annual event hosted by King Mswati and his Mother Ntombi Tfwala where thousands of women come together to drink alcohol and socialize with men.

Efforts to reach Dumsani Mnisi,the Director of Save the Children eSwatini proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Responding to this publication when asked to share a comment, Sibongile Mazibuko, a former Deputy Headteacher and President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC)said, the country “has the Child Protection Act” that protects children from being exposed to harmful environments including buganu drinking spree.

The NNLC President alleged that, the Buganu ceremony “is sometimes” marred by acts not meant to be witnessed by minor children.

“It happened during the last event in the same place where the nearby primary school kids were forced to pick up condoms from the venue, that’s why we’re disappointed to see young children seating and slumbering behind the Queen Mother at a ceremony that lasted for very long hours since they were even deprived resting hours, we condemn such action”, said the NNLC President.

But King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane, when asked by this Swaziland News to clarify why the children next to Indlovukazi were taken to the alcohol drinking ceremony, held a different view on the subject matter. He said to the best of his knowledge, children were only prohibited from drinking alcohol.

“We are aware of a regulation militating against sale of alcohol to children under the age of 18 years. This regulation ideally cuts them out of drinking. We are not aware of any piece of regulation that explicitly says their parents should not take them along when they are going to participate in traditional ceremonies that involves drinking alcoholic beverages. We will continue to believe that normal thinking Swati parents are conscious of keeping their children out of harm during festivals such as this one and in family households where everybody drinks”, said the King’s Spokesperson.

 

Give blood, give now, give often

World Health Organization, 13 March 2024

SOURCE 

Blood transfusion saved my life, so I know how important it is to donate blood” - Mphikeleli Mlotsa.

In 2023 during school break, Mphikeleli Mlotsa, a Form 4 student at Nyetane High School was involved in a grisly car accident that almost cost him his life. The accident occurred at a time when the Blood Transfusion Service was experiencing a blood shortage topped by inadequate people to donate blood as school-going children were on break, yet the blood bank targets them during blood drives. Thanks to the blood donation of well-wishers, Mlotsa was able to receive blood that played a huge role in his recovery and months later inspired him to donate blood during a blood drive at his school organized by the Ministry of Health.

“I needed a lot of blood since I had excessive bleeding during the accident and without a blood transfusion I was going to die.”

The blood shortages experienced in 2023 hurt Eswatini’s healthcare system, increasing morbidity and mortality rates due to delayed medical interventions. Blood shortages caused interruptions of services leading to failure in supporting maternal and neonatal cases, renal cases, cancer network cases, trauma/ road traffic accident cases, and management of chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and orthopedic surgical campaigns which were being conducted at the time. To mitigate the effects of the blood shortage in the country, the World Health Organization Eswatini (WHO) stepped in to support the Eswatini National Blood Transfusion Service (ENBTS) organize and conduct regional blood drives in high volumes within 14 days targeting Lubombo and Northern Hhohho Regions. From the campaign, the Blood Transfusion Service was able to collect 1054 units out of the targeted 2000 units limit they had set. 

I am grateful that I eventually got the blood, and I would like to encourage school-going children to donate blood because you never know what may happen tomorrow, one day it may save your parent, your relative, or even yourself. It always feels good to help someone in need, especially when saving a life, hence I will continue to donate blood even when I am an adult,-  Mphikeleli Mlotsa. 

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/eswatini/news/give-blood-give-now-give-often

 

eSwatini denies reports kingdom faces shortage of men

BBC, 11 March 2024

SOURCE 

The kingdom of Eswatini has been forced to deny reports it was offering citizenship to men from other southern African countries because of a shortage at home.

A faked viral letter, pretending to be from King Mswati III, expressed concern over the “scarcity of men” in Eswatini.

The faked letter also claimed the king would help willing men from southern Africa to marry wives and get free houses in the kingdom.

“The public is notified that this circulating notice is fake,” the Eswatini government said in a short statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

It is not clear who authored the fake letter which had excited plenty of social media users in the region.

Eswatini, Africa's last absolute monarchy, has a population of about 1.2 million people.

 

SWAZI MEDIA COMMENTARY

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Blog: https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/

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X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com  @Swazimedia

Friday 8 March 2024

Swaziland Newsletter No. 817 – 8 March 2024

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 817 – 8 March 2024

News from and about Swaziland, compiled by Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk) in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com), and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge.

 

eSwatini’s reconstruction fund fraud: 12 investigated for claiming over E1 million

By Saboor Bayat, BNN Breaking News, 6 March 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: In a significant development, at least 12 applicants are under investigation by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) for allegedly defrauding the government of over E1 million through false claims to the Reconstruction Fund. This revelation comes from the Ministry of Finance’s annual performance report for the 2023/2024 financial year, highlighting a concerning misuse of funds meant to aid businesses affected by the 2021 civil unrest.

The investigations focus on applicants accused of submitting claims for damages that never occurred, using tampered documents, including quotations and invoices, and fraudulent company stamps. This misconduct undermines the fundamental aim of the Reconstruction Fund, introduced by His Majesty King Mswati III in September 2021 with an initial government injection of E500 million. The fund’s objective is to provide financial support for the rehabilitation of business infrastructures and the replacement of machinery, equipment, and stock for micro and small business enterprises devastated during the June and July 2021 civil unrest.

As of January 31, 2024, the fund had approved 553 applications totaling E267 581 096.73, with E236 122 555.66 already disbursed to applicants. Despite the significant financial aid provided, the Ministry of Finance reported several challenges, including the difficulty in ensuring compliance and accountability among recipients. Issues such as applicants’ failure to respond, indecision, and the reluctance of suppliers to accept guarantees without upfront payment, have paved the way for fraudulent activities. Moreover, the refusal of suppliers to honor old quotations has necessitated new quotations at the payment stage, further complicating the fund’s operations.

In response to these fraudulent activities, suspicious files were handed over to REPS for thorough investigation. The Fraud Unit within REPS has played a crucial role in this process, leading to charges and court appearances for some suspects, who are currently out on bail. The Ministry of Finance and REPS are working closely to address these issues, ensuring that the Reconstruction Fund fulfills its purpose of aiding those genuinely affected by the civil unrest, rather than becoming a vehicle for fraudulent gain.

This situation underscores the challenges of administering large-scale financial aid programs and the importance of rigorous oversight and accountability measures. As the investigations continue, the outcome will not only impact the accused individuals but also shape future policies and procedures for managing and distributing aid funds in Eswatini, ensuring that assistance reaches those truly in need and contributes to the nation’s recovery and development.

 

What is so special about spending R160million renovating King Mswati’s Palaces amid shortage of drugs in hospitals?

Opinion by Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 3 March, 2024

SOURCE 

It is surprising that, at the time when emaSwati are struggling with no drugs in hospitals and a collapsing education system, King Mswati and his Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg opted to steal R160million claiming to be renovating Palaces and/or State houses. 

The budget suggests that around eight hundred thousand Rands (R800,000.00) was allocated for rural water or boreholes and to the best of my knowledge, with each borehole costing one hundred thousand Rands(R100,000.00), this means only eight (8) borehole might be introduced across the entire country.

Mswati is pocketing R160million to renovate his Palaces and the 1.2million emaSwati will share boreholes worth R800,000.00, what nonsense is this?.

What service is Mswati providing to the citizens of this country to deserve such a huge amount of money, while emaSwati are struggling with no drugs and access to clean water?.

The State owned Eswatini Observer described the recent Budget delivered by Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg as the people’s budget, that was King Mswati’s budget and his Members of Parliament (MPs) will approve it because as convicted MP Bacede Mabuza articulated in court, there’s no Parliament in country where the word from one man is final.

Mswati remain a political parasite that public resources, there’s nothing like renovation of Palaces or State houses.

Every year the King is cashing this money saying he will renovate his Palaces, this is a legitimated ‘fraud’ by a person whose extravagancy and absolute addiction to a lavish lifestyle, has undermined the State’s capability to deliver basic services to the people.

But even if the Palaces are renovated, the question is; why are taxpayers forced to renovate another man’s homes while emaSwati are struggling with no drugs in hospitals?

Clearly, there’s no political will to solve the social challenges affecting this country.

But then time will tell, this regime must continue to keep emaSwati hungry, poor and frustrated.

One day even the security officers who are sustaining the Tinkhundla in democratic system with guns will have no alternative but take part in the process of removing this cruel and oppressive regime.

See also

R160million to renovate King Mswati’s Palaces.

https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=6136

 

Untouchable, powerful people involved in corruption – AG

by Sibusiso Dlamini, eSwatini Observer, 3 March 2024

SOURCE 

Auditor General (AG) Timothy Matsebula has alleged that his life remains at risk, as he is yet to receive the essential security he so requires as he faces the people he reprimands for corrupt practices against government on a daily basis.  

In a week that has seen him dominate headlines for exposing a maze of irregular practices draining billions of Emalangeni from taxpayers, he has revealed to the nation that he is facing a daunting challenge in combatting widespread corruption in the country.

Matsebula bemoans the pervasive grip of influential and untouchable figures armed with substantial financial resources, which he says make it an uphill battle to reprimand those found with their hands in the cookie jar and instigate meaningful change.

The AG said he felt it was important that the nation knows that he grapples with formidable challenges in executing his duties, emphasising that the prevalence of influential figures complicates the process of exposing and holding wrongdoers accountable.

“There are way too many corrupt and powerful people in our country,” he said, disclosing the intricacies of his struggles in combating corruption.

He underscored the nexus between wealth and corruption, disclosing an alarming occurrence from the past year when he was given the green light by Cabinet to initiate forensic investigations, only to then be ‘disturbed’.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22126

 

ICC stolen material has completed a house - MP

By Nonduduzo Kunene and Sabelo Majola, Times of eSwatini, 5 March 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Lobamba MP Michael Masilela stunned legislators when he alleged that theft at the ICC and FISH construction site was so rampant that a house had been completed using the stolen material.

Masilela said he could even take the Members of Parliament (MPs) to the house in question, if they needed proof on what he was submitting about. He shared that the house was boasting costly material, like water taps, which cost no less than E25 000 and these were the same taps that had allegedly been procured for the ICC and FISH project. Masilela submitted that one of the biggest setbacks at the International Convention Centre (ICC) and Five Star Hotel (FISH) was theft and this anomaly was contributing immensely to the delay in completing the project. The MP said this during the debate of the Ministry of Finance’s annual performance report for the financial year 2023/24 in Parliament yesterday.

Masilela’s argument was that emaSwati had adopted a culture of stealing and made it a normal way of life. He said some employees at the site were complaining that the project would take forever to complete, because people were helping themselves to the building material. Masilela mentioned to the MPs that, given the setting of the project, which is within the Lobamba Constituency, he was aware of the anomalies that were ongoing at the construction site and he challenged the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, to do something about it.

“It is such a pity that when one raises these issues, the concerns are interpreted out of context and it appears as though you are attacking the country’s authority. My biggest concern is that we are stealing too much and the country will not achieve much until the issue of corruption is dealt with head-on,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development report, the ICC’s actual expenditure for the current financial year was E175 116 785 and the revised practical completion date was now December 2024. One of the challenges in this project, as highlighted in the report, include that the process of having the EXIM Bank money being disbursed was delaying, much against the expectation of the ministry. “The current budget allocation under local resources has been exhausted; any claim for work done cannot be paid under the prevailing situation,” reads the report.

Masilela also submitted that another sad part was that when arrests were made on corruption, it was only the small fish that was made scapegoats and targeted, leaving the head-honchos scot free. This was also a concern from Speaker in the House, Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza, who drew the attention of the MPs to recent reports, that there were individuals ‘labangabopheki’, as revealed by the Auditor General, Timothy Matsebula. Mabuza said there was need to disclose the names of those individuals, so that legally, action could be taken against them. The Speaker said as it was, people were making their own assumptions from such statements and unfortunately everyone was put in the same basket, because people did not know who these people were. “Why make such statements if the people referred to will not be disclosed. We need to know who these people are and if they have indeed committed acts of crime, they should face the law,” Mabuza said. Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane was concerned about the security of the AG, submitting that it was seemingly not a priority to government. He also raised a concern that the Office of the AG was not only deprived of independence, but was understaffed and as such, he could only do an audit in only nine schools out of over 200 across the country.

See also

There is rampant looting at ICC – MP

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22136

 

Roman Catholic church grabs schools from community

Swaziland Democratic News, 5 March 2024.

SOURCE

Ezulwini: There is an outcry by residents of Ezulwini community and surrounding communities after the Roman Catholic Church came up with a new and uncompromising position of grabbing ownership of the Ezulwini Community Primary and High Schools.

For many years now, these schools have been led by local parents as they footed the bill of building the schools from scratch to finish and today, Roman priests are taking control and performing rituals on students at the school as they please.

It is said that recently the Roman Catholic Church hosted a mass service at the schools and also inscribed a cross on the foreheads of the school kids without first appraising the parents about these maneuvers.

One parent who sought to remain anonymous complained that since the arrival of a new head teacher at the primary school, their kids are not allowed to sing other gospel songs but only those in the Catholic hymn book like they are a Roman Catholic school and evidently, last week, a Catholic priest came to conduct mass at the school.

“What is annoying is that all these years we were building the school from our pockets without help from the church and it is very unimaginable that they are taking over. For a first we saw a grantee being introduced to be the chairman of the schools. All these years we have been electing committees of our choice but now, the school board has to be of Roman Catholic believers.”

It is reported that the school will soon be called Saint Peter School.

 

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Friday 1 March 2024

Swaziland Newsletter No. 816 – 1 March 2024

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 816 – 1 March 2024

News from and about Swaziland, compiled by Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk) in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com), and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge.

 

eSwatini dictator King Mswati deploys armed soldiers at troubled University of eSwatini

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 26 February, 2024

SOURCE 

KWALUSENI: King Mswati allegedly deployed armed soldiers at the troubled University of Eswatini (UNESWA) on Monday morning, after Lecturers boycotted exams and marched to Parliament as the institution of higher learning faces deepening financial constraints, while failing to pay salaries.

Mswati rules eSwatini as an absolute Monarch, citizens are shot by the police and soldiers merely for protesting, while human rights defenders are arrested or killed for demanding democracy.

Responding to this Swaziland News on Monday, Dr Salebona Simelane, the Registrar of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) asked this journalist to contact the army authorities, he then claimed to have not witnessed the deployment of the soldiers some who were pictured within the premises of the institution of higher learning.

“Good morning, Nkhosi. Please ask the army authorities on this issue, but I did not witness a deployment of the army today”, said the UNESWA Registrar.

The Registrar subsequently released a memo later on Monday afternoon, informing UNESWA staff and students about the postponement of the exams amid the challenges faced by the institution.

“The Senate resolved at its meeting held on the 26th February, 2024 that the 2022/2023 Second Semester Examinations should be postponed by one week. Effectively, the examinations shall commence on Monday, 4th March 2024”, reads the memorandum in part released on Monday.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=6110

 

Navigating uncharted waters: eSwatini’s bold move into maritime registry despite landlocked geography

By BNN Breaking News, 23 February 2024

SOURCE 

Imagine a country where the concept of a ‘sea view’ is purely imaginative, where the closest shore is miles away beyond its borders. Now, picture this landlocked nation launching a maritime registry, welcoming ships to fly its flag without ever sailing its non-existent waters. This is not a plot from a whimsical novel but the reality of Eswatini, a country boldly stepping into the realm of international shipping without a coast in sight. Established in October 2023, Eswatini’s maritime foray raises eyebrows and questions alike, challenging the norms of what it means to be a seafaring nation.

Eswatini’s venture into the maritime industry mirrors a David versus Goliath tale, with the tiny kingdom taking on the colossal task of establishing a ship registry. The initiative is pitched as offering high-quality maritime services and the allure of ship registrations, a tempting proposition for vessels seeking the benefits of ‘flags of convenience’. These advantages include lower taxes, more lenient labor laws, and fewer regulations. However, the irony of a landlocked country hosting a maritime registry is not lost on observers, who question the viability and integrity of such an operation. Despite these doubts, Eswatini has managed to list a provisional fleet of 13 cargo ships, signaling its earnest intentions.

The intrigue surrounding Eswatini’s registry deepens with the revelation of its vessels’ involvement in supporting the Syrian regime and evading sanctions, including exporting grain from Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. This association with a ‘dark fleet’, a term coined for ships operating under the radar to bypass sanctions or conceal cargo origins, casts a long shadow over the registry’s credibility. The global maritime community watches with bated breath as Eswatini navigates these turbulent waters, attempting to reconcile its aspirations with the harsh realities of international scrutiny and the potential for environmental and regulatory disasters.

In response to growing concerns, diplomatic efforts and proposals for tighter regulations have emerged, aiming to anchor ships more firmly to their flags of registration. These initiatives underscore the imperative for accountability and transparency in the maritime industry, especially for new entrants like Eswatini. The kingdom’s bold experiment highlights the evolving dynamics of global shipping, where innovation and ambition meet the steadfast currents of tradition and regulation. As the world watches, Eswatini’s maritime adventure unfolds, a testament to the fluid nature of international commerce and the uncharted territories it seeks to explore.

The journey of Eswatini’s ship registry, from its landlocked origins to the contentious waters of the ‘dark fleet’, encapsulates a broader narrative of aspiration and challenge. In a world where geographical limitations are increasingly blurred by global connectivity, Eswatini’s maritime endeavor stands as a bold statement of intent. Whether it will navigate to success or flounder in the depths remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the tides of change spare no one, landlocked or otherwise.

 

Record E5bn allocation for education, E3bn for health

By Sabelo Majola, Times of eSwatini, 27 February 2024

SOURCE

 

LOBAMBA: The education sector received a record high of E5 billion budget allocation while the Ministry of Health received E3 billion.

These two sectors received a combined allocation percentage of 27, with education getting 17 per cent of the overall budget and health getting 10 per cent.  The Ministry of Education and Training was allocated E3.96 billion in the 2023/24 financial year and this year’s allocation depicts a growth of 20.8 per cent. The health sector was allocated E2.76 billion in the previous financial year and this depicts a growth of eight per cent. Part of the improved budget allocation for the education sector was government’s approval of a revised fee schedule structure for free primary education.

Government, as revealed by Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg when presenting the budget speech yesterday in Parliament, also converted 794 temporary teachers to permanent and pensionable positions in the 2023/2024 financial year. He pointed out that in the 2024/2025 budget, government had allocated E65 million to continue with conversion of temporary teaching positions into permanent roles, to address teacher shortages and also contribute to the overall quality of education, providing students with a more stable and conducive learning environment. In summary, government allocated E3.94 billion in the recurrent budget, E200 million in the capital budget to the Ministry of Education and Training, E194 million in the orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) fund and E647 million for scholarships, equalling a total of E5 billion for the provision of education and training, at all levels in the country.

This represents 17 per cent of the total budget spent on educating emaSwati. Challenges like drugs and human resource are some of the considerations that saw the Ministry of Health getting an improved budget of E3 billion. It was also in the spirit of implementing the policy of a health facility for every eight-kilometre radius across the country, that the health sector received so much in allocation. Rijkenberg highlighted that the outcry at Sibaya People’s Parliament around the problems in the Ministry of Health, as well as from the public in the submissions for the budget speech on the virtual platforms, emphasised the need for additional funding to turnaround the ministry. “For this reason, we have allocated E250 million more to the health budget, bringing it to E3 billion. This represents 10 per cent of the total budget,” he said.

Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula said he was grateful to the Finance minister for prioritising the health sector in the budget and he mentioned that they would do everything in their power to tackle the challenges in the sector. However, Matsebula mentioned that the health budget was still not reaching the 15 per cent of the overall budget as required by the UN Conventions and he was hopeful that one day, that dream would become a reality.

 

Royal government continues with Lies?

Minister Neal says they have allocated E3 billion to address health sector challenges

By Eugene Dube, Swati Newsweek 26 February,2024

SOURCE 

LOBAMBA: Neal Rikenburg, the eSwatini Minister of Finance said E3 billion has been allocated for health.

eSwatini has been battling with drugs shortage for over 17 years. Many elderly people died due to lack of treatment.

However, the regime twisted the story and claimed officers in the ministry of health were involved in scandal.

Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg announces that E3 billion has been allocated towards health, in response to ongoing challenges within the sector.

Minister Rijkenberg: “For this reason, we have allocated E250 million more to the health budget bringing it to a budget of E3 billion. This represents 10% of the total budget.

In 2006 the international organisation called Relief World their reported highlighted the drugs shortage in Swaziland. However, investigation reveals that more money goes to the Royal family in Swaziland. The Royals rely on foreign health institutions whenever they are sick.

A financial report reveals that King Mswati III and his mother Ntombi Tfwala had been allocated E431 million salaries for 2023 financial year.

The right to life is no longer guaranteed in Eswatini health facilities including government clinics and hospitals as there is massive drugs shortage.

Elderly people and the youth continue to die in local Swazi hospitals as the regime fails buying medicines and drugs on time from international drug companies.

Eswatini elderly citizens are amongst a group of patients who were turned back at local hospitals because of lack medication.

They were referred to local pharmacies by hospital medical staff. Patients are now forced to buy their medicines at local pharmacies which are expensive.

Lizzie Nkosi, Eswatini Minister of Health publicly admitted that Eswatini faces a shortage of drugs. She posted a statement on Eswatini government Facebook page.

Around 2023, King Mswati III told close to 10 000 Swazi who gathered at his Palace that health institutions had improved. However, his statement sounds has been rejected by many people.

On 03 July, 2023, Eswatini government Facebook page reported: “The minister of health Lizzie says government has met suppliers to try and forge a way forward aimed at mitigating the medicines shortages experienced by the health sector.”

The report continued, “This process is what leads to the delay in the supply of medicines. However, the Ministry of health has started supplying the available medicines and medical suppliers to the country's health facilities. As additional medicines and supplies are recieved by the central medical stores (CMS) These are also supplied to the health facilities as emergency deliveries.”

However in a previous interview Mayibongwe Masangane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) disagrees with Minister Nkosi and insists that drugs shortage still exists.

“There are no drugs in public institutions. The crisis is persistent and seemly there is no political will to resolve it,”Masangane said.

In a 2019 news report published around November The Eswatini Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Dr. Simone Zwane was quoted as saying,” government’s challenges also affected his ministry. “The ministry of health is currently experiencing challenges of meeting the needs of patients especially the availability of medication in hospitals. Which is caused by suppliers not being paid, It’s a pity we are going through this economic challenges as a country,” said Zwane.

See also

Neal tables Sibaya-inspired E29.42bn budget

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22091r

Budget falls short of expectations on Free Primary Education

http://www.times.co.sz/news/144087-budget-falls-short-of-expectations-on-fpe.html

eSwatini's Budget Announcement Sparks Debate Among Education and Health Sectors

https://bnnbreaking.com/world/eswatini/eswatinis-budget-announcement-sparks-debate-among-education-and-health-sectors

 

How Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Simon Zwane assisted SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff to defraud State about R70million in one day amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals

By Zweli Martin Dlamini, Swaziland News, 28 February, 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Dr. Simon Zwane, the then Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health allegedly assisted SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff to defraud the State through the Ministry of Health about R70million in one (1) day, a forensic investigation report reveals.

The investigation report in possession of this Swaziland News was compiled by Funduzi Forensic Services subsequent to an investigation into the shortage of drugs in public hospitals, the investigation was commissioned by Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg through the Office of the Auditor General (AG).

It has been disclosed through the report that on or around 2nd July 2020, the Principal Secretary (PS) allegedly approved an advance payment amounting to R9,999,999.00 for Kareem Ashraff AvaPharm (Pty) Ltd.

An advance payment is the type of payment that is made before or without the delivery of good or services.

The investigation report further suggests that, the same payment was duplicated and paid six (6) times with voucher numbers 0004122,0004124, 0004125, 0004119, 000120 and 000121 bringing the total amount to R59,999,994.00

But on the very same day, the PS allegedly approved another payment amounting to R8 610 756.31 bringing the total to R68,610,750.31.

A questionnaire was sent to Dr. Simon Zwane who was later transferred to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

“The above payments were motivated on the basis of an invoice received from Avapharm dated 17 June 2020 and signed off by the Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Simon Zwane to the Accountant-General. The copy of the Invoice is annexed hereto and marked Exhibit 16.Based on the conventions for the processing of payments in Government, we were advised that each payment has its own batch number and therefore it would be irregular to process more than one payment on the basis of one batch number. The only rationale for processing more than one payment tied to one batch number would be to hide the true nature of the payment in circumstances akin to fraud. The payment batch reflecting the same batch number for the multiple payments above is attached herewith and marked Exhibit 17. Based on this,it is apparent that Avapharm would have been unduly enriched at the expense of the Government. This overpayment which constitutes fraudulent payment, should be recovered from Avapharm (Pty) Ltd and the Public Officials involved, disciplined accordingly”, reads the investigation report in part.

To read more of this report, click here

https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=6119

 

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