LOBAMBA – What private jet?
This question was part of a response by Minister for Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza to a question posed on whether there was a plan by government to purchase a private jet for Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini.
The question was raised by the Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP) during the portfolio committee debate of the ministry.
The MP said he had heard that the Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) recently had an engagement with Cabinet.
“We received reports that RENAC made a presentation before Cabinet requesting that a plane for the prime minister be purchased,” the MP said.
According to the MP, three options were proposed during the meeting.
One option, he said, was to buy a new aircraft, while another option considered was renting one.
The third option, according to the Mbabane East MP, was to allow the prime minister to privately use the existing Eswatini Air.
“Has there been a suggestion of this nature? I would like to know how RENAC has addressed it,” he submitted.
In response, Chief Ndlaluhlaza said that, as the minister responsible for transport in the country, he had not heard of such a plan.
“I do not know about the three options the MP has spoken about. However, the MP can engage RENAC; they are here, and I am giving them the opportunity to respond. These days people make a lot of unfounded claims and you wonder what is happening,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, another issue raised during the debate was alleged corruption in the public transport business.
The Mbabane East MP submitted that there is an oversupply of public transport vehicles, especially on major routes, including the Manzini–Mbabane route.
He said the oversupply had been caused by many permits being in the wrong hands.
According to him, many people are renting out public transport permits even though most of them do not own vehicles operating in the business.
“There are now many fights within this sector. A person rents out his or her permit, then meets someone who offers more money for it and takes it back from the initial user. This has caused the fights in the sector,” submitted the MP.
He also urged the ministry to investigate claims that some of the permits are owned by individuals who are not citizens of the country.
He said the ministry must also clarify whether the law allows a person who does not own a vehicle to hold a public transport permit.
The issue was also raised by Hhohho Region MP Tanele Magagula, who submitted that some permits are still being used even though their real owners died a long time ago.
Meanwhile, MPs spoke in one voice regarding the ministry’s budget, saying it should be rejected because it is not sufficient to address the challenges facing road infrastructure.
Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga said: “I want it to be put on record that I am rejecting this budget. It is too little. It is true that the ministry has been trying its best with a small budget, but we cannot allow this to continue if we want our country to develop, especially when it comes to road infrastructure.”
On another note, MPs asked the ministry to address the issue of fuel debt within government departments.
The MPs said they believe the punishment given to those found guilty of fuel theft is not severe enough.
As expected, the main concern raised by MPs was the poor state of the roads.
In particular, they argued that heavy rains caused significant damage, with some communities now separated after bridges were destroyed.
In his brief response, the minister acknowledged the poor condition of roads following the heavy rains.
He said the issue remains a challenge for his ministry because the allocated funds are not sufficient.
In particular, the minister revealed that more than 80 bridges were damaged, and that 30 of them have resulted in situations where community members cannot cross to the other side.
“I am feeling the pain myself because everywhere I go, people ask me about the roads. We are trying our best and we will continue to do so,” the minister submitted.
… Parliament wants to conduct its own probe into Railways
LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament (MPs) have declared their intention to appoint a select committee to probe alleged irregularities that reportedly took place at Eswatini Railways (ESR).
The MPs made this known yesterday during the portfolio committee debate of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
It was Mayiwane MP Sicelo Khungankosi Dlamini who made the submission, stating that at ESR, those involved in corruption have developed a tendency to frustrate individuals who are clean.
“I am recommending that a select committee be appointed here in Parliament to investigate corruption at the entity. As MPs, most of us are capable of investigating corruption. I have been a police officer for 11 years and I know how to investigate,” he said.
He also stated that he is aware of an investigation currently being conducted internally at ESR, but that another investigation undertaken by Parliament would also be ideal.
Earlier on, Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini had sought clarity on why the forensic audit had not yet begun, even though the minister announced it a few months ago.
The MP said there were also reports that a prominent consultant had been engaged, but that the plan was abandoned before the exercise even started.
In response, the minister explained that the forensic investigation into ESR will indeed be conducted.
He said that the process of engaging a consultant or independent auditor is currently underway.
“We are not preventing Parliament from conducting its own probe; we simply want to assure you that the forensic audit is coming. It is up to Parliament to decide whether both exercises should run in parallel,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mtsanjeni MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla asked about the role played by the Eswatini Contractors Association (ECA).
“I just want to know the legal instrument that established this organisation. Also, why are contractors required to contribute about E1500 each to this organisation? I am asking because we already have the Construction Industry Council, which plays a significant role,” Ndlangamandla submitted.
On another note, the chairperson of the portfolio committee, Sigwe MP David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, instructed that on March 19 the committee will visit the airport.
Although he did not specify the purpose of the visit, he said employees had written numerous letters detailing the challenges they are facing.
“We do not want a situation where employees of our airport stage a protest because that would bring the country to a standstill,” Ngcamphalala said.
Minister for Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza.