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MPS TOSS OUT RESERVATION OF BUSINESSES FOR SWAZIS

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LOBAMBA – The Reservation of Certain Trades and Businesses for Swazi Citizens Regulations, 2017 were yesterday tossed out by Members of Parliament (MPs).

These regulations were the ones which reserved about 31 kinds of businesses for strictly Swazis.
In motivating the regulations, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Jabulani Mabuza, said if these jobs were not reserved for Swazis then there would be trouble. He said such an arrangement was not unique to Swaziland, especially to small businesses.

He said the businesses such as a car wash were to be strictly for Swazis.
However, the MPs were against the regulations citing that they were too limiting. Motshane MP Phesheya Hlatshwayo said petrol stations should also be reserved for Swazis. “I think these regulations have come too late, they are already in the hands of the foreigners,” he said.
He asked if the list could not be amended for other businesses.

Meanwhile, Dvokodvweni MP Sitezi Dlamini said he fully supported this initiative, stating that it could bring economic liberation to Swazis.  “However, I believe we can do more to diversify these trades and we must not be ashamed to return these businesses to Swazis,” he said.
Timphisini MP Apton Ndlovu also said the regulations were long overdue, but said they should have been first taken to the portfolio committee before they were tabled in the House.

He said it was a pity that the foreigners did not even bank in the country and said the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) doesn’t even bother them. “Instead they put it in trunks and they operate freely without paying their taxes which is wrong and I think these regulations are long overdue,” said Ndlovu.
Mntfongwaneni MP Mjuluko Dlamini said the list should be amended to add bigger businesses which should include the transport business such as buses and also bottle stores.

Matsanjeni North MP Phila Buthelezi was totally against the regulations and said even if he was in his own he did not care.
He said Swazis should not run away from competition. He said some of the foreigners service was even better when compared to Swazi owned businesses. essman in a previous interview.

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