‘DON’T DARE OPEN BARS ON SWAZI NATION LAND’

MANZINI - Will it be a steep hill for those seeking to operate liquor shops on Swazi Nation Land (SNL)?

Following the announcement by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade that it had removed barriers in starting and running a business in the country, such that it was now possible for people occupying SNL to own liquor licences, the Swazi Commercial Amadoda (SCA) says; “That’s a big no.” 
In fact, Solomon Ndwandwe, the president of SCA warned members of the public, especially those who could be tempted to open bottle stores and bars on SNL, not to dare. He said if they did, they would face the wrath of the law and further risk forfeiting their businesses.

Ndwandwe said this during a press conference, which was held at SCA boardroom at ka-Khoza yesterday afternoon.
He said there was a royal command, which was made by King Sobhuza II at the Sibaya (People’s Parliament) that no alcohol would be sold on SNL.
He said as far as they were concerned, as the King’s overseer on SNL, the royal command still stands, because His Majesty King Mswati III had not made any amendments on it.

The president said it was only SCA which had control of businesses operated on SNL, not government. “Government and chiefs do not have power over businesses on SNL,” he emphasised.
The president was quick to clarify that they were not fighting ease of doing business in the country. He said they were fully behind the initiative.

Recommendations

On that note, he said they already issued recommendations for trading licences and that they were working on having online approvals and recommendations in order to speed up the process.

However, he said there were due procedures to be followed before the recommendation could be issued. He said on SNL, in order for one to start building a structure for a business, that individual had to get the King’s consent. Again, he said the recommendation would be only issued after the structure was completed and approved.

He said that was the difference between starting a business on SNL and urban area, where one would find the structure existing and only had to apply for a licence and put in stock.
“What the ministry is doing, is bypassing SCA.

“This is the same as bypassing the King and elevating chiefs to the status of the King,” the president said.

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