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LOCKDOWN EXTENSION FATE TO BE KNOWN TODAY

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MBABANE - It will be known today if government will reverse the two-week extension of the partial lockdown.

Government has refused to come and state whether it will adhere to the resolution taken by Parliament last week to the effect that the extension of the COVID-19 lockdown should be reversed. Instead, government has said it would state a way forward during a sitting scheduled for today at the House of Assembly, starting at 2:30pm. Last Friday, Members of Parliament (MPs) gave government a 48-hour ultimatum to lift the two-week lockdown extension. This was after a motion was moved by Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo. The motion was extensively debated and passed by the House.

The MPs threatened to suspend the debate of the fiscal budget with immediate effect, demanding the withdrawal of the lockdown extension. They argued that the extension announced by the Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, who was not present during the sitting, was oppressive to the nation and a catalyst for poverty and economic disaster. They also argued that when announcing the extension, the acting PM did not mention that he was assigned by His Majesty King Mswati III to make the statement, but created the impression that he was furthering the interests of Cabinet. During an interview with this publication yesterday, Masuku vehemently refused to comment on whether the resolution by the House would be adhered to or not.

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“For now, I can’t comment on that. I will discuss it in Parliament. I cannot discuss it with the media because on the day the motion was debated and passed, I had gone to see the doctor. I understand that the MPs did not get my position. So I think I cannot discuss it with the media,” he said. He mentioned that a Parliament sitting was scheduled for today and he was adamant that the issue would be discussed. “Again, I am actually saying nothing. I did receive the resolution of the motion. They brought it to me later on the day, when I was from the doctor. I have looked at it and that is all I can say. I cannot discuss the issue outside,” he said. “Ngisho njalo nje, ngeke ngiyikhulume ngaphandle,” he said in vernacular. Asked to elaborate on his absence last Friday, the acting PM said his health was a priority.

“Parliament is important, but my health takes priority over everything. I cannot go to Parliament and die, but I must be alive to carry out my duties there. I reported to the Speaker. Even on Wednesday, when I left Parliament, I did state that I was not well and needed to see the doctor,” he said. He said he was asked to return to the doctor on Friday and finished late. Masuku emphasised that he was one person who had no problem attending Parliament sittings even when the going was tough. “Those people who are peddling lies that I missed the session intentionally are not being fair to me or anybody else who may be sick. Perhaps they are happy that I am sick. The Parliament I am a member of, I reported to the Speaker,” said Masuku. The acting PM’s words were echoed by Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini, who said the motion was moved in Parliament and, therefore, government would respond there.

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