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MINISTRY SUSPENDS TOWN COUNCILS’ EXTERNAL TRIPS

04/12/2018 01:10:00 BY STANLEY KHUMALO

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MBABANE – Ratepayers’ money will be spared by town councils as international trips have been suspended.

The Ministry of Housing, under Prince Simelane, is cracking the whip as it took the lead in the plans articulated by the premier to all government ministries to save every penny.

The ministry issued a minute to all municipalities suspending international trips that were to be undertaken by their personnel.
This act by the ministry will curb the exorbitant expenditure incurred by the town councils during the international trips.

A fortnight ago, the Prime Ministert, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, informed the nation that Cabinet had taken eight key decisions in dealing with the financial challenges experienced by the country.

Among the decisions brought forth by the premier was the enhancement of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for all external trips. Subsequent to this, personnel at the Municipality of Manzini suffered the consequences.

Travel

According to impeccable sources in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, a group of senior staff from the Municipal Council of Manzini had to travel to a number of countries in Asia.
However, they had to abort the trip due to the minute issued by the ministry.

The impeccable sources said they were informed that government was broke and every cent had to be used profitably.
Mathokoza Thwala, Public relations Officer of the municipality could not be reached for comment as he was reportedly out of the office and so was the Chief Executive Officer, Lungile Dlamini.

Lungelo Nkambule, who is Communications Officer of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, confirmed the communication to the other municipalities.
She said: “Government as a whole has implemented major interim fiscal decisions to enhance financial prudence and controls so as to spend as little money as possible; this move by the ministry is in line with that. This has been communicated to all municipalities.”

The minute from the ministry will affect two municipal councils, five town councils and six town Boards. These are the Municipal Council of Mbabane, Municipal Council of Manzini, Ezulwini Town Council, Matsapha Town Council, Nhlangano Town Council, Pigg’s Peak Town Council and Siteki Town Council.