NOT YET: POLITICAL DIALOGUE REMAINS UNCERTAIN

MBABANE – There is still uncertainty on the way forward regarding the impasse between government and those calling for political reforms.

As things stand, government will not be meeting those calling for political change, at least for now. The reason, according to Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku, is that government first needs to analyse the grievances raised in the petitions. Also, Masuku said the current COVID-19 pandemic situation did not allow gatherings. The acting PM said this during a press conference held on Tuesday at Cabinet Offices. He was responding to questions whether government would consider a dialogue with those who were pushing for change in the country as per the demands outlined in petitions delivered to tinkhundla centres. Masuku said even though dialogue was a priority, it would not be possible to invite people for talks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “For now, government is analysing the petitions to understand what exactly the people who delivered them want. There are many tinkhundla centres and it is the responsibility of government to listen to what the people want,” he said. He could not rule out a possibility of meeting those calling for change, but that the current situation made it difficult.

Dialogue

“Issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic limit the opportunity for a dialogue in a manner that we are used to. However, sending the grievances using the outlined platform will help as a preparation of any dialogue with relevant stakeholders including Parliament. You have to prepare properly for such and not just wake up and go for dialogue. You have to understand first what you are going to dialogue about. What is important is to respect the dialogue first. It needs to be meaningful and clear. So the dialogue is not closed, but it has to be prepared for,” he mentioned. Masuku mentioned that it would not be proper to have a dialogue when there were violent scenes taking place.

This publication also enquired if ambulances would be made available for those seeking urgent medical attention. In response he said; “We have to be responsible. We do have ambulances. If there is a pregnant woman who seeks medical attention and the road is blocked, that cannot be the responsibility of government to remove the stones in order to get to that patient. It is the responsibility of the one who blocked the road”. Many people have been requesting government to at least meet those who have been calling for political reforms to reach an amicable decision. “Government cannot stay quiet forever in this matter. Some dialogue needs to happen. We cannot go on like this,” one citizen said.

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