Bus operators in Swaziland (eSwatini) are defying coronavirus
social distancing regulations and running vehicles at full capacity because
they say they will go out of business otherwise. It comes as deaths from the
virus continue to surge.
Buses, known locally as kombis, are only allowed to
run at 80 percent capacity. They have also faced restrictions on the number of
hours the can operate.
Swaziland Local Transport Association (SLTA) made the announcement
on Sunday (16 August 2020). The decision was taken by kombi operators across
Swaziland.
SLTA Chairperson Mandla Dlamini told local media, ‘Banks
have claimed that they will repossess our vehicles this coming September
because we are failing to settle our debts.’
He said the only way they could pay was to carry
passengers at full capacity. They would continue to sanitise vehicles and make
sure passengers had their hands sanitised before boarding.
The Swazi Government has not helped the transport
operators financially since the kingdom was placed in partial lockdown to
tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency in March.
A police spokesperson said police would continue
enforcing the regulation.
Coronavirus continues to spread throughout Swaziland.
As of 17 August there had been 3,894 cases confirmed
by the Ministry of Health and 73 deaths. At the beginning of the month there
had been 43 deaths.
Meanwhile, the traditional
Umhlanga Reed Dance at which tens of thousands of women dance bare-breasted
in front of absolute monarch King Mswati III has been cancelled. People travel
from across Swaziland to attend. It was due to begin on 25 August and this is
the first time in history the ceremony has been cancelled.
See also
Swaziland’s plan to revive
economy after coronavirus ambitious, but unrealistic
Swaziland police fire
teargas to break up coronavirus prayer meeting
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