LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament have called for a substantial increase in funding for the Microprojects Unit, arguing that the programme is crucial for community development.
The proposal was initially raised by Lugongolweni MP Joseph Souza and received backing from several MPs during deliberations of the Portfolio Committee on the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development’s Annual Report on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Souza said the unit could significantly accelerate development if adequately funded.
“There is so much that can be achieved in propelling this country towards first-world status if Micro Projects is allocated a bigger budget,” he said.
Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba questioned some allocations, citing the E60 million earmarked for renovation of the Phondo Inkhundla service centre.
“Phondo does not have many activities, yet it has received such a large allocation. Why construct expensive structures when there are pressing needs like road rehabilitation? These risks becoming a white elephant,” he said.
Mamba added that resources could be better used to address urgent infrastructure needs. He cited the Mhlambanyatsi service centre, which he said had undergone major renovations despite limited activity.
“If the minister does not believe me, he should visit Mhlambanyatsi. There are barely officials assisting the public and very few clients, yet the facility was significantly renovated,” he said.
Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla also questioned the Phondo allocation, suggesting the funds be redirected to the D91 road, which he said remained a priority for the constituency.
During the debate, MPs highlighted financial constraints faced by the Micro Projects Unit. Mamba said limited funding often delayed contractor payments, affecting project implementation.
“The biggest challenge with a small budget is that contractors are not paid on time,” he said.
He advised MPs to align themselves with figures from the Ministry of Finance rather than those in the annual report.
“While the annual report suggests E300 million for Micro Projects, the Ministry of Finance has allocated E426 million,” he explained.
Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtetwa said the unit deserved even greater support, proposing a budget of up to E800 million due to its impact at grassroots level.
Mayiwane MP Sicelo Dlamini praised the unit’s responsiveness following heavy rains that damaged infrastructure in his constituency.
“The rehabilitation work was done quickly after the buildings were damaged. The community received speedy assistance through Micro Projects,” he said.
Chair of Chairs and Sigwe MP David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala suggested that once construction of the International Convention Centre (ICC) is completed this year, some funds should be redirected to Micro Projects.
He also criticised the cost of outsourcing project designs.
“Designs for some projects cost up to E47 million when outsourced, yet institutions like the Micro Projects Unit have the capacity to handle such work,” he said.
Meanwhile, MPs raised concerns about recruitment for the upcoming national census, complaining that many enumerators were not drawn from the constituencies where they were deployed.
Zombodze Emuva MP Ntando Mkhonta suggested integrating government data-collection systems.
“There should be a unified tool for collecting data across sectors instead of hiring different people for separate statistical exercises,” he said.
MPs also sought clarity on funding for the new Parliament building, questioning whether it would now rely on local financing.
Mamba said the project should be transferred to Parliament itself.
“The project has reached a stage where it should be handed over to Parliament instead of remaining under the ministry,” he said, adding that delays were pushing costs higher.
…MP shares how gambling resulted in deaths of constituents
LOBAMBA – Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba has shared disturbing accounts of how gambling has negatively affected young people in his constituency, saying some individuals had taken their own lives due to gambling-related pressures.
He made the remarks during deliberations on the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs’ annual performance report on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Mamba revealed that two young people from his constituency had recently died after becoming heavily involved in gambling.
One allegedly used school fees to gamble and later took their own life. The other reportedly worked as a mobile money agent and gambled funds belonging to their employer.
He said the incidents illustrated the severe social consequences of uncontrolled gambling.
Mamba also questioned whether the gaming sector should fall under the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, suggesting it would be better placed under the Ministry of Commerce and Trade.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson and Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini acknowledged the seriousness of the problem.
He noted that Minister for Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi had previously raised similar concerns about gambling among youth.
Dlamini said many students were reportedly gambling away their allowances soon after receiving them.
“The warnings placed in advertisements do not seem to make a difference. In many cases they appear on platforms that are not widely accessed by emaSwati,” he said.
… ICC works will continue after commissioning – Gina
LOBAMBA – Minister for Economic Planning and Development Dr Tambo Gina has clarified that although the International Convention Centre (ICC) will be commissioned on April 25, 2026, construction work will continue afterwards.
Speaking during Portfolio Committee deliberations on Monday, March 9, 2026, the minister explained that the project would still be under the defects liability period after commissioning.
This means the contractor will remain on site to address outstanding work and any defects.
As a result, construction activity will continue even after the official opening.
Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane asked the minister to provide a full breakdown of costs incurred in building the ICC and the Five-Star Hotel (FISH) since the project began.
He also questioned the allocation of an additional E952 million to the ICC.
“We cannot continue appropriating such large sums when the facility is scheduled to open on April 25,” Zwane said.
He further questioned the purpose of the commissioning ceremony if contractors would remain on site.
“If the contractor will still be working after His Majesty commissions the facility, what is the purpose of the opening?” he asked.
Lomahhasha MP Zanele Mashaba said completing the ICC was important, noting that delays had become embarrassing for the country.
Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtetwa urged the ministry to ensure future budget estimates were realistic and aligned with actual project costs.
…Government collects E1.6m from plastic levy
LOBAMBA – Government collected E1.6 million from the plastic levy during the last financial year, Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Simelane has revealed.
She made the disclosure while responding to MPs’ questions during parliamentary deliberations on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini requested details on how the levy revenue was generated and whether it had been used for its intended purpose, including environmental clean-up campaigns.
He also raised concerns about eco-bags, saying research indicated that many still contained plastic.
“Why is the plastic levy not applied to eco-bags when studies show they also contain plastic components?” he asked.
Simelane said current regulations did not provide for a levy on eco-bags.
“If Members of Parliament want eco-bags to be taxed, they must propose amendments to the regulations,” she said.
MPs also questioned the nearly E120 million allocated to ministries for activities related to April 25 festivities.
Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane compared the figure with other national events.
“The opening of Parliament costs just over E5 million and hosts many emaSwati, guests and dignitaries. What makes this event so different that it requires such a high budget?” he asked.
The minister said each ministry had different responsibilities, explaining the separate allocations.
Lubombo Region MP Futhi Ngcamphalala also criticised the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA) for concentrating activities mainly within the Manzini–Mbabane corridor.
“I rarely see EEA initiatives in rural areas. Most activities appear concentrated around Manzini and Mbabane,” she said.
Minister for Economic Planning and Development Dr Tambo Gina reading his preamble yesterday during the ministry's annual performance report debate by the ministry's portfolio committee whose chairman is Appointed MP Prince Lindani. (Pics: Khulile Thwala)