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Friday 14 June 2024

Swaziland Newsletter No. 831 – 14 June 2024

 Swaziland Newsletter No. 831 – 14 June 2024

News from and about Swaziland, compiled by Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk) in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com), and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge.

 

NGOS, churches pushing political agenda to be de-registered

By Sifiso Dlamini, eSwatini News, 8 June 2024

SOURCE 

EZULWINI: NGOs and churches found to be breaking the law will be de-registered.

This is according to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is currently piloting the Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) Bill meant to put in place legislation to regulate Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as religious denominations in the country.  The ministry has raised a concern over the mushrooming of NGOs in the country, which are allegedly involved in money laundering and financing of terrorism. The ministry says in the absence of legislation in place to ensure accountability for funds received by NGOs and churches, there is a high possibility of money laundering and financing of terrorism.

This was during the Ministry of Home Affairs, Parliament portfolio committee’s workshop organised for both houses of Parliament. The workshop was held at the Sibane Sami Hotel yesterday. The statement on de-registration of NGOs and churches breaking the law was made by the ministry’s Principal Secretary (PS), Nhlanhla Nxumalo in response to questions posed by Senate president Lindiwe Dlamini.

While making her submissions during the question and answer session, the senate president noted that currently, there were churches that were non-aligned and said this should be put in order. “I have noted that during your presentation, you have stated that there are some churches that are not aligned to any of the recognised church governing bodies. This should be put in order, we cannot afford a situation where there are people labafuna kuphatsa bantfu, kepha bona bangafuni kuphatwa,” she said. The president went on to state that pertaining to the issue of NGOs, she was of the idea that they were regulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, however, she was surprised that they were registered under the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade.

Explaining her concern about then current situation, the senate president said the role or mandate of NGOs was to drive social change. “Let us not sugar coat this, it is clear that their mandate is to drive social change. I agree that it is true they also provide humanitarian aid and develop communities and advocate for human rights. However, I have to insist that their core mandate is to advance or drive social change,” she said. The senate president said the NGOs mandate emanated from their funders who are mainly other nations and if they were not regulated and were not accountable, it would cause problems for the country moving forward. “Certain nations, through NGOs, are pushing a mandate to democratise other countries,” said the Senate president.  

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/145510-ngos-churches-pushing-political-agenda-to-be-de-registered.html

 

Drinking water: eSwatini and Mozambique launch a joint €16m project

By Inès Magoum, Afrik 21, 11 June 2024

SOURCE 

The Eswatinian and Mozambican authorities have just launched work on the Lomahasha / Namaacha (LoNa) cross-border drinking water supply project. The work will be carried out thanks to a €16 million [E320 million] funding from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

More than 40,000 additional people will be supplied with drinking water in the border towns of Lomahasha and Namaacha, in Eswatini and Mozambique respectively. This is the ambition of a new cross-border drinking water supply project launched on 6 June 2024 by the authorities of the two countries. The launch was attended by the Managing Director of the Eswatini Water Services Corporation, Jabulile Mashwama, a representative of the Mozambican Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation, Chuene Ramphele and Michael Feiner, Chargé d’Affaires at the German Embassy in Mozambique, as well as the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Water Fund.

The water project, which aims to ensure access to drinking water and strengthen climate resilience through the development of shared infrastructure, will be financed to the tune of €16 million by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and integrated into the SADC-Germany regional development cooperation, itself supported by German cooperation via the German development agency (KfW).

Magnificent waterfall along the Mbuluzi River in Eswatini ©OHlungwani/Shutterstock

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.afrik21.africa/en/drinking-water-eswatini-and-mozambique-launch-a-joint-e16m-project/

 

eSwatini owes London’s ‘Pakani’ E18.6 million

By Mfanukhona Nkambule, Times of eSwatini, 9 June 2024

SOURCE 

MBABANE: The Transport for London (TfL), a local government body, has threatened to take Eswatini and other countries to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

This is in relation to congestion charges the Eswatini High Commission has incurred from 2003 to December 31, 2023, amounting to E18.66 million, the equivalent of £776 530.00.

In its definition of the congestion charge, the local government body said it is a fee for driving in central London at certain times of the day. Its aim is to reduce traffic congestion by making people think twice before using their cars. It is a E360.45 (£15) daily charge for those who drive within a specified zone in central London. It applies from 7am until 6pm Monday to Friday, and between 12pm and 6pm on weekends and holidays.

… TfL published details of diplomatic missions and international organisations with outstanding fines. In a statement, the Transport for London said it considered that there were no legal grounds to exempt diplomatic missions and international organisations from the congestion charges, which is comparable to a parking fee or toll charge. TfL stated that, under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, envoys have an obligation to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State.

… The Eswatini High Commission in London had not responded to our questionnaire by 7pm yesterday. Newman Ntshangase, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said this matter had not been brought to their attention. The principal secretary said they would reach out to the high commission in London to establish the merits of this matter that this newspaper was bringing to their attention. He said, what they knew as a general rule in international law and practice on diplomatic privileges and immunities, was that diplomatic missions ‘are exempt from domestic taxes of this kind’.

To read the full unedited report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/145528-eswatini-owes-london%E2%80%99s-pakani-e18.6-million.html

 

‘Men also victims of GBV’

By Siyabonga Nsibande, eSwatini Observer, 9 June 2024

SOURCE 

MISS Eswatini Shanice Mamba has been chosen as an advocate against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

She said although gender-based violence was a well-known problem that is primarily linked with men, it was true that boys and men were also victims of it.

She is also passionate about helping those less fortunate across the country.
Mamba has been charitable and has worked with the likes of the Helping Hand Foundation, Makholweni Care Point and Mental Haven charity organisation. She did express that she was eager to do more charity work.

“Gender-based violence is a well-known problem that is primarily committed by men, it is true that boys and men are also victims.

“It can be decreased by giving women and girls the tools they need to succeed economically. This is empowering them to stay in school, applying feminist strategies to address gender inequality even at home, creating safe spaces for them, having conversations with men, involving women in leadership roles, and supporting regional organisations that advocate for women's rights,” she explained.

When speaking on the standards of the beauty pageant industry in Eswatini, Mamba emphasised that it was important for local businesses and their clients to take the craft seriously and treat it professionally.

To read more of this report, click here

http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=22526

 

MP Marwick Khumalo takes on Prime Minister Russell Dlamini for publicly attacking the Office of the Auditor General (AG)8th June, 2024

Opinion by Marwick Khumalo, Swaziland News, 8 June 2024

SOURCE 

It is very regrettable and unfortunate for His Excellency the Right Honorable Prime Minister Russell Dlamini to have vented out his frustrations in such a miscalculated manner on a matter that is before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

As a Member of the House of Assembly, the Prime Minister has two choices; either to wait for the report of the PAC which will be tabled in the House for debate and adoption or liaise with the PAC Chairman for him to appear before the PAC as an interested party with a view to offer clarifications or shed some light on the issue at hand, anything outside these options, is completely Out of Order. 

A leader of his stature, is expected to always approach contentious issues with calm, and disallow himself to be overwhelmed by emotions.

The Office of the Auditor General is independent and is supposed to be autonomous of any government department and is only answerable to parliament, not Cabinet. 

Wherever Parliaments exist throughout the civilised world, the Offices of the Auditor Generals are established so that they can do their work freely without being bullied or intimidated by members of the Executive branch. 

It was not necessary for the Prime Minister to denounce the Auditor General merely because he is conflicted and can ill-afford to use his position to undress the Auditor General in public to the point of questioning his credentials.

The Prime Minister is duty bound to protect and defend institutions that are pillars of good governance and good political standing such as the Office of the Auditor General, largely because as a country, we are judged by our attitude towards such bodies by the international partners and funders, potential investors, donor community etc. 

His Excellency the Prime Minister was appointed by His Majesty and serves as the Chairman of Cabinet and leader of government business in Parliament, and is no longer the CEO of NDMA. 

Therefore, his responsibilities are too serious for him to be confining himself to entities that are now the business of other persons. 

The Prime Minister not interfere in the operations of the NDMA, and likewise, he should leave the Auditor General to do his work as per his constitutional mandate.

I believe the Public Accounts Committee was making a political statement by suspending its sittings.

It would be setting a wrong precedent if they were to halt parliamentary business unabated purely on the basis of misguided sentiments expressed by a member of the House. 

Citizens or organizations that make it into the Auditor General’s report should be treated equally and without prejudice by the PAC.

Therefore, a special sitting of the House to deal with this matter can only give credibility to a non-issue.

We have faith in the work of the PAC and they should continue to execute their political assignment without hindrance or fear,working jointly with the Auditor General for the good of King and country.

See also

Following PM’s concern on AG’s office: PAC suspends sittings, Marwick says PM out of order

http://www.times.co.sz/news/145513-following-pm%E2%80%99s-concern-on-ag%E2%80%99s-office-pac-suspends-sittings%2C-mar.html

 

Govt in tight financial spot, owes suppliers E1.4Bn

By Stanley Khumalo, Times of eSwatini, 12 June 2024

SOURCE 

MANZINI: Government is in a tight spot, as arrears have increased while the country expects SACU receipts next month.

It is reported that the State is facing financial constraints such that its arrears have shot up to about E1.4 billion. The limited financial resources, according to sources, are born from the fact that the country receives its Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts quarterly. The sources said because the country was a month away from receiving the SACU receipts, it was now in a tight spot in terms of its expenditure. Insiders informed this publication that the limited resources had repercussions in that a number of the financial obligations were not being met, including the payment of suppliers and service providers, which hindered service delivery.

It was claimed that the debt had accrued from last year June to date, as some suppliers and service providers were not paid 30 days after filing their invoices, while others had not been paid, because they were yet to deliver all that was expected of them, which resulted in the delay in payments. The sources said a larger chunk of the resources the country had were used in a bid to resuscitate the collapsed health sector, which had seen public health facilities without medication for a long period. This is because, in recent months, government has been settling arrears of the Ministry of Health, to ensure that suppliers were catered for while also ensuring that there was activity in the economy.

The sources claimed that the delay in their payment could lead to long-term challenges. “Inasmuch as government budgets for each financial year, the revenue inflow is not consistent with the demand,” the source said. The source explained that when government set its budget for the year, it projected revenue collections, which included the SACU receipts, which were received quarterly, tax collection and other streams of income, like fines.

To read more of this report, click here

http://www.times.co.sz/news/145589-govt-in-tight-financial-spot-owes-suppliers-e1-4bn.html

 

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