CABINET MEETS IN HOTELS DESPITE WOES

MBABANE – The Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini-led Cabinet still holds meetings in hotels despite explicitly stating that it is broke.

This is established from the calendar of government activities for the month of November.  The Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development held its induction of politician activities in four hotels.

The first event was hosted on November 15 in the Lubombo Region. It was at Siteki Hotel. On the following day, the same activity was held at The George Hotel in Manzini.
On November 19, according the calendar of government activities, Hhohho politicians met at Pigg’s Peak Hotel and on November 22, those from Shiselweni converged at Nhlangano Sun.

Also, another event that was held at a resort despite the fiscal crisis was the climate change dialogue which was hosted at the Happy Valley Hotel. This event was under the Moses Vilakati-led Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. It was held from November 12 – 16.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Lizzy Nkosi, was at Mountain Inn to be introduced to senior health staff. This was on November 15.
Events with an exception to be hosted at hotels include the launch of Eswatini Quality Awards event which was held at the Royal Swazi Spa and the Economics Association of Swaziland (ECAS) seminar which was hosted at the same venue. 

Funding

Another event that did not involve government funding which was held at a golf estate was the launch of the Bushbaby Lodge. The event was held at Nkonyeni Golf Estate.
Meanwhile, hosting events at hotels is expensive for government as refreshments are served. A basic breakfast costs a minimum of E100 person while lunch costs about E280 at hotels.

To this, Government Press Secretary Percy Simelane said he was not aware what the arrangement was on hosting some events at hotels. Simelane emphasised that the bureaucrats needed to be vigilant on government’s expenditure.
“We need to be careful on how we spend as government. that said, the belt tightening is not an occasion but a process,” Simelane said.

He said government would continue to pull the handbrake and implement fiscal discipline in all sectors so that the country may restore to life the economy.
Meanwhile, hosting government business at resorts counters some of the positive efforts that were introduced by the premier last week Thursday.

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