NO MONEY FOR NEXT PAY CHEQUES

MBABANE – Some employees will feel the effects of the political unrest the hardest as their employers will not be able to pay them, come month end.

The above statement was made by some Asian businesspeople who were found monitoring their shops along Betfusile Street. In an interview with some of the businesspeople, they stated that they were at pains as a result of the obtaining scenario in the country and would continue to monitor things to decide whether they went back to business or found other alternatives. According to the businesspeople, there was no way that they could pay their employees while staying at home as their businesses were not operational and were not making profit. “We are scared to open shop as we are also targets.”

They stated that since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020, business was very slow and now the damaging and looting of their businesses had exacerbated the situation. Further, they said doing business in Eswatini was very risky and they needed surety to continue. “We cannot just put money and invest in Eswatini, it is a wait and see situation,” stated the businesspeople.  Meanwhile, a majority of the Asian- owned shops in the city removed their stock from the shelves for safety purposes, while some were damaged and looted. Some shops along Gwamile Street were vandalised and looted.

In an interview with this publication, some of the Asian businesspeople confirmed to have removed the items inside the shops after they realised the vandalism and looting which took place last Tuesday.  “Following the incidents of destruction and theft in the neighbouring shops, we decided to remove our stock and monitor the situation as it unfolds,” stated some of the Asian businesspeople, who were found monitoring their shops along Betfusile Street. They stated that if the situation normalised they would go back to business.

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