MBABANE – The Kingdom of Eswatini is neither gaining nor losing financially from the presence of five detainee inmates who arrived from the United States of America on Wednesday.
This assurance was given by the Prime Minister (PM), Russell Mmiso Dlamini, during a media engagement held at Cabinet yesterday.
Before taking questions from journalists, the PM delivered a press statement, with local and foreign media, including from neighbouring South Africa, in attendance.
The briefing was first conducted in a small boardroom before the media was led to the main one for an open question and answer session with the PM.
In his statement, the PM said he had come to address a matter, which had caused concern among emaSwati, referring to the deportees as tivakashi teNkhosi who are now being accommodated at His Majesty’s Correctional Services.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini maintains good bilateral relations with the US and other countries from where these inmates originate,” the prime minister said.
“It was prudent for government to work alongside the US to deport the inmates and ensure their eventual repatriation to their respective countries. Engagements with some of these nations have already started.”
He added that the deportations would be carried out in line with the United Nations (UN) policies, with support from various international organisations specialising in such matters.
“The nation is informed that these deportees are accommodated in a suitable facility that ensures both their safety and that of emaSwati. We assure the public that there is no need for alarm; their security is not compromised,” he said.
The PM also cautioned the public against being misled by misinformation circulating in various media and on social platforms.
During the subsequent discussion, though the session was not recorded, the PM welcomed all questions, including those not related to the deportation matter.
The first question was whether the five were part of a larger group expected to follow. The PM confirmed that these five were the only ones deported by the US at this time, but added that should the US wish to send more, a formal request would be made to Eswatini’s authorities.
When asked whether the Kingdom of Eswatini benefitted in any way from hosting the deportees, the PM responded in the negative, assuring the media that the US Government was covering all associated costs, including food and repatriation.
Social media had been awash with speculation that Eswatini might be benefitting from the arrangement, compared with Rwanda, which was reported by international media such as Al Jazeera to have engaged in migration deal talks with the US.
In 2024, Rwanda was also involved in a proposed refugee relocation agreement with the UK. The Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), originally agreed in 2022, aimed to manage a surge in asylum seekers to the UK by processing claims in Rwanda and offering resettlement to successful applicants.
The UK was to provide development aid and cover integration costs, estimated at £45 262 (E1 104 444) per individual in the first year. For individuals opting not to stay in Rwanda, the UK would pay £10 000 (approximately E241 192) per person for repatriation. The plan was intended to run for five years.
On the lack of prior communication, the PM said, due to national security concerns, not all matters could be announced publicly in advance. Nonetheless, he conceded that earlier engagement might have eased public anxiety. “We acknowledge that, perhaps, we should have responded sooner, but in the current social media age, news spreads rapidly,” he said.
The PM stated that, should the US wish to send more deportees, the government would first assess the country’s capacity and readiness before entering into further agreements.
He was also asked about a possible US proposal to build a larger Correctional facility.
He said this could be considered if it became necessary and a formal request was made.
Eswatini is not alone in having received deported inmates from the US. Earlier this month, US media reported that eight migrants were deported to South Sudan, although only one was a South Sudanese national.
Their families reportedly lost contact with them on arrival. The US Supreme Court allowed the deportations to proceed, raising concerns among human rights groups over the possibility of more deportations to third countries.
During the same engagement, the PM took questions on the appointment of a new government spokesperson. In a light moment, he jokingly suggested a reporter apply for the role.
He was also asked about when the government’s grand plan would be unveiled.
The PM said the plan had been completed, credited its authors—tinjulabucopho (talented young emaSwati, some abroad)—and confirmed it would be presented to Parliament in the first or second week of August. He emphasised that the grand plan would be a 30-year vision.
On the health sector crisis, especially drugs shortage, the PM said improvements had been made and efforts would continue, especially in transforming the Central Medical Stores. Recruitment of new pharmacists was underway.
“Government is not claiming all drugs are now available, but the situation has improved and more must be done,” he said.
He further stated that NERCHA had been instructed to work with the Ministry of Health on expedited procurement of antiretrovirals (ARVs). NERCHA and the NDMA had a technical committee and a memorandum of understanding in place, and he praised NDMA’s COVID-19 response.
Asked about government information leaks, the PM said new security protocols had been implemented and there had been no further incidents since the start of the year.
Rules out possibility of prison break
MBABANE – “They cannot escape!” declared Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini when asked about the security of the deportees.
He said Eswatini has prisoners even more dangerous than these five, none of whom have escaped. “Even our most dangerous inmates have never escaped. These, too, are safely kept,” he said in vernacular: “Atizange letiboshwa setifohle. Naletike sitigcine kahle lakufanele khona, futsi tiphephile.”
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini seated with Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu during a press conference at Cabinet yesterday. (Pics: Ntombi Mhlongo)