DR XOLANI BLEW IT BY IMPLICATING HEADS OF STATE – PS

MBABANE – Director of Veterinary and Livestock Service Dr Xolani Dlamini blew it when he allegedly implicated the heads of state of Eswatini and Namibia in the importation of the three buffaloes.

According to the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Bongani Masuku, things came to a head when Dlamini mentioned to the European Union (EU) that the buffaloes had been imported from Zambia to Eswatini as a gift to His Majesty King Mswati III from President Edgar Lungu.

“We were horrified at this act. Our concern is the diplomatic relations between the two countries and their respective heads of state. Of equal concern is the adverse effects such name-dropping would have on the EU thinking we are browbeating them to clear the buffaloes,” said Masuku in his answering affidavit.

misconduct

Dlamini is due to appear before a preliminary disciplinary panel which has been appointed to conduct an investigation into alleged acts of misconduct against him resulting from the arrival of the three buffaloes from Zambia.

The director, who has been suspended, allegedly by the PS, from acting as a delegate between the Kingdom and the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE), wants the court to set aside the appointment of the preliminary disciplinary panel.

He alleged that the appointment of the panel was done by the PS which makes him seriously conflicted as a complainant in the matter.
The arrival of the buffaloes, which were a gift for the King, resulted in the country’s beef exports to EU countries being suspended. The animals arrived in the country in September 2017.

Buffaloes are known carriers of the foot and mouth disease (FMD). Zambia does not enjoy the FMD-free status as it is the case with Eswatini.

export

This status allows the country, through the Swaziland Meat Industries, to export beef to EU countries. The EU has since given Eswatini the all clear and the ban was lifted.
Responding to Dlamini’s submissions, Masuku informed the court that, by writing to the EU and naming the two heads of state, the director allegedly deviated from the mitigating plan which had been discussed.

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