LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament (MPs) have raised concerns over the closure of liquor outlets in towns, arguing that the move has negatively affected livelihoods and should be handled through broader consultations with stakeholders.
The concerns were raised during the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Portfolio Committee’s debate on the ministry’s annual performance report.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini said the issue of closing liquor outlets should be approached differently going forward, emphasising the need for formal engagement with both liquor outlet owners and community members.
“Matsapha liquor outlets closure resulted in dire economic effects as some people are heavily dependent on the revenues generated by liquor outlets. Let us not make it seem like alcohol is taboo, as it forms a major part of the livelihood of many households,” said the MP.
He further noted that the liquor industry has wider economic linkages, benefiting other businesses such as taxi operators and fast-food outlets.
“The major issue here is compliance and that is what should be addressed. If an establishment is not compliant, then it should be shut down. However, if it complies with the regulations, it should be allowed to operate,” he added.
Recently, more than 10 liquor outlets in Mbabane were proposed for closure following an enforcement operation conducted by the Municipal Council of Mbabane.
The closures occurred after applications for licence renewals were not approved due to non-compliance with provisions of the Liquor Licensing Act of 2023, which empowers the municipal council to regulate land use for business operations.
Kwaluseni MP Sifiso Shongwe supported Dlamini’s concerns, arguing that the legislation used to close the outlets appeared to be applied inconsistently across towns.
“Some outlets are closed while those in close proximity remain open. This raises questions about the criteria used for the closures, particularly when the compliance levels appear to be similar,” said Shongwe.
Meanwhile, Sigwe MP David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala raised concerns about staffing shortages within the Fire Department, citing that there were currently 168 vacant posts as stated in the annual performance report.
He cautioned that if the ministry proceeds with recruitment, the process must be handled carefully to avoid repeating previous administrative shortcomings.
Ngcamphalala questioned the absence of plans for Fire Department infrastructure along the proposed E2 billion Siphofaneni–Nsongo–Siphambanweni route.
“I have seen plans from the police to establish a post along that route, yet there have been no indications from the Fire Department regarding similar planning for a station,” he said.
Ngcamphalala also criticised the parking service system in Mbabane, describing it as costly and inconvenient.
“You move just a few metres and you are charged again. It becomes very expensive, and the system does not even provide a timeframe for parking,” he said.
He noted that the Manzini parking system was more favourable because it allows motorists to pay for a specific time period rather than being charged repeatedly as they move from one parking space to another.
Meanwhile, Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini also called on the minister to address concerns regarding the appointment of the former Pigg’s Peak Town Council Chief Executive Officer to the ministry’s Town Planning Board.
The MP explained that although the former CEO had been cleared by independent auditors following allegations of misappropriation of funds, the appointment remained concerning given the previous controversy.
“Even if he was cleared, it is still worrying that he was considered for a position that may require him to work closely with the Pigg’s Peak Town Council after the issues that surrounded him,” he said.
Responding to the concerns, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala clarified that an independent investigation had cleared the official and that his separation from the council had been mutual.
“The Board requires individuals with spatial planning expertise and serves to advise the minister. It does not work directly with town boards; hence the former CEO was considered suitable for the appointment,” the minister explained.
MPs also raised concerns regarding the remuneration of Fire Department personnel, describing their salaries as inadequate considering the nature of their work.
Maseyisini MP Nokuthula Dlamini called for stronger regulation of landlords, saying many tenants complain about excessive rental charges.
She further suggested that during future recruitment processes, the Fire Department should consider regional representation and prioritise young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Lomahhasha MP Zanele Mashaba highlighted the absence of nearby fire stations in Lomahhasha, stating that emergency response times were a major concern.
“There must be serious consideration for establishing a fire station closer to Lomahhasha, as lives are at risk due to the current situation,” she said.
Mashaba also called for the regulation of liquor outlets’ operating hours.
Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba criticised the institutional housing programme, supporting Mbabane East MP’s call for a national survey to determine whether there is genuine demand for rent-to-buy housing in the country.
“The fact that the loan will have to be repaid by the Housing Board is concerning because this is the same entity that is struggling to service some of its existing debt, yet it is expected to repay such a large loan,” said Mamba.
The Mbabane East MP further raised concerns regarding the ministry’s request for a E2.4 billion loan to finance institutional housing.
“Is there any scientific evidence or study that shows that emaSwati actually want institutional housing? Who exactly are these houses intended for — ordinary citizens or a specific group?” he asked.
He warned that the country risked constructing houses that might ultimately become “white elephants” if there was insufficient demand.
The MP also criticised the low salaries paid to councillors, arguing that their workload did not correspond with their remuneration.
Additionally, he questioned the composition of the Ministry’s Portfolio Committee, suggesting that MPs representing urban constituencies should be prioritised.
“A majority of committee members come from rural constituencies and therefore may not fully appreciate the challenges faced by municipalities,” he said.
Dlamini also questioned why the Buhleni development budget had not been fully utilised, noting that out of an allocation of E24 million, only E2.58 million had been spent.
He further raised concerns about the delayed delivery of a fire truck valued at E15 million, saying the delay raised suspicions of possible irregularities.
“You paid E15 million for a truck that has still not been delivered. That raises serious concerns,” he said.
The MP also queried the lack of development in Mhobodleni, despite repeated budget allocations for the area.
“Where is the money going, because there is no visible development taking place,” he asked.
Probe Municipal Council of Manzini – MP
LOBAMBA – Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba has called for an immediate investigation into the operations of the Municipal Council of Manzini, citing alleged irregularities and administrative inefficiencies.
Mamba told Parliament that he had observed several concerning issues affecting the council’s operations.
Among these, he alleged that the municipality was experiencing serious funding challenges, sometimes forcing it to rely on private vehicles to collect garbage from residents due to a shortage of fuel for municipal trucks.
He further accused the council of failing to remit taxes to the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS).
“We have also been informed that there are trips budgeted at over E4 million, while businesses have gone unpaid for three years, with some cases already before the courts,” he said.
The MP argued that these issues warranted a comprehensive investigation into the council’s operations.
“There needs to be an investigation into these inefficiencies. Instead, a commission of inquiry was conducted in Hlatikhulu while Manzini continues to face serious operational challenges,” he added.
MPs worried about Health’s low expenditure despite critical issues
LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament have expressed concern over the low expenditure recorded by the Ministry of Health in the previous financial year, arguing that it raises questions about service delivery amid persistent health challenges.
Siphofaneni MP Nomalungelo Simelane said the under-expenditure was particularly troubling given the critical healthcare needs faced by emaSwati.
“My biggest concern is that we cannot celebrate improvements in the system while emaSwati continue to cry over the treatment they receive in health facilities across the country. Real progress will only be recognised when those concerns are addressed,” she said.
She criticised the ministry for failing to fully utilise funds allocated in the previous financial year.
Simelane argued that the E92 million requested for capital projects might not yield meaningful results if the ministry struggled to utilise funds already allocated to it.
Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo also questioned where the capital projects would be implemented.
“We are being asked to approve this budget without knowing whether the funds will actually be utilised,” he said.
Nxumalo further noted that several clinics had already been constructed, yet it remained unclear how they would be operationalised.
‘Budget for compensating bagcugcuteli in the works’ – Minister
LOBAMBA – Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula has revealed that the ministry is working on establishing a dedicated budget for bagcugcuteli, also known as health motivators, following years of concerns over their remuneration.
The minister was responding to MPs who had raised concerns about the welfare of the community health workers.
MPs pointed out that bagcugcuteli currently receive E350, despite playing a significant role in supporting healthcare services at community level.
Responding to the concerns, Matsebula said the ministry had begun working on a framework that would create a specific budget line for the health motivators.
“I proposed to Cabinet that their remuneration be increased, as they have been receiving E350 for the past 12 years. Although I was informed that there were no funds available, I was advised to explore internal reallocations that could allow us to increase the amount from E350 to E500,” said the minister.
He added that the ministry hoped to further increase the stipend to E700 in the next financial year.
“Currently we are working towards increasing the stipend from E350 to E500, and that is the immediate adjustment we are focusing on,” he said.
Addressing concerns over drug shortages, the minister said the Eswatini Medical Supply Agency (EMSA) was expected to play a critical role in ensuring consistent drug availability.
He noted that while drug availability had reached 90 per cent, the ministry remained cautious because consistency remained key.
“The only outstanding matter now is the vetting of EMSA Board members. Once that process is completed, the minister will proceed with appointing the board,” he said.
Drug availability at health facilities at 90%
LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament have commended the Ministry of Health for improvements recorded in its annual performance report, particularly the increase in drug availability at health facilities to 90 per cent.
MPs shared positive feedback from various health institutions, saying there were noticeable improvements in the availability of essential medicines.
According to the legislators, this development provided relief to many patients who had previously struggled to access medication.
However, MPs emphasised that the ministry should work towards maintaining and further improving the availability of medicines, especially in facilities where shortages were still being reported.
Ndzingeni MP Gcina Magagula and Sigwe MP David Cruiser Ngcamphalala during the portfolio committee budget debate for the Ministry of Defence and National Security yesterday. (Pics: Khulile Thwala)