Times Of Swaziland: FARMERS: CABINET ‘GRABBED’ OUR CATTLE WITHOUT CONSENT

FARMERS: CABINET ‘GRABBED’ OUR CATTLE WITHOUT CONSENT
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Timothy Simelane on 11/02/2025 08:26:00


MBABANE – Grab-a-cow accusations have emerged against government. Some of the
cattle that Cabinet ministers presented to His Majesty King Mswati III as gifts
for the Incwala Ceremony were taken from farmers, without prior consent. While
some of the cattle have finally been paid for in full, others were still owing
at the time of compiling this report. The cattle were presented alongside others
for the annual and most significant ceremony for the nation. However, a scratch
beneath the surface has proved that Cabinet instructed the Minister of
Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, to source the cattle and prepare to have them
presented to the King. The ministry is said to have sourced the cattle from the
Mlindazwe Sisa Ranch in Lavumisa.
Consulted
One of the farmers insists that he was not consulted prior to the grabbing of
the cattle and only got to know about the deal after it had been sealed.
However, the farmers had an almost unanimous predicament – delayed payments.
As some farmers made desperate demands for payment, last week government
admitted liability for the cattle, but said most of the payments had already
been made to the farmers. A source close to the matter revealed that the
Veterinary Services was assigned by Cabinet, through the minister for
Agriculture to find 10 slaughter cattle to be procured by Cabinet for
presentation towards Incwala.
“These cattle were indeed market ready. Efforts were made to contact the
owners by phone before the sale. Some were reached, and their full authority was
obtained. Others did not respond – which means they neither objected nor
agreed. “The promise was that Cabinet would pay as soon as the cattle were
delivered. The farmers’ bank accounts were forwarded for payment.
Unfortunately, payment was delayed,” the source said. It was said that the
delayed payments have spoiled the relationship and trust between the ranch
management and farmers, as some desperate farmers used abusive language in the
quest to get their payment.
Director of Veterinary Services Dr Xolani Dlamini confirmed that the Vet
Services was assigned to find/source the cattle. “I can only confirm that
Cabinet bought the cattle,” he said and declined to be interviewed on details
of the now-controversial purchase. A Sisa Ranch is a government farm, where
farmers and private individuals take their cattle for rearing. They pay
government in different ways, one of which is the deduction of a percentage
whenever the cattle are eventually sold in auctions annually.
Distraught
Some distraught farmers have lamented that government ‘grabbed’ their cattle
without prior agreement on prices and payment terms. Though some farmers have
been paid, others were still asking for payment last week. Those who were paid
are said to have also received their dues well after the event. One farmer
showed this publication proof of payment to indicate that he was paid E8 900 for
a cow that government said was worth E16 500. “Since I was not even engaged on
the price, I was merely told that the cow is worth E16 500 and that this is
money I would be paid. For about two months, I have been asking to be paid the
balance, but nothing is forthcoming,” the farmer said.
He emphasised that there is absolutely nothing wrong with presenting cattle and
gifts for the ceremony, but his frustration merely stems from the manner in
which his cow was taken and the failure to pay him. He said he was informed days
later after his cow had been taken, and a promise for payment was made. “I
have businesses that I run with these cattle. I have been greatly inconvenienced
by the failure to pay me. I need the balance, which is E7 600. “Why was I only
informed after the cow had been taken?
Normal rules of business stipulate that the buyer must make an offer, and I must
then endorse or reject it,” he said. Last year, the total amount of tetfulo
was said to have reached E21 million, coming from private individuals,
parastatals, companies and the Taiwanese Embassy.  Of these tetfulo, there were
336 cattle. Most of these are usually slaughtered to feed all who participate in
the ceremony, especially Ingaja, who set out to cut the sacred lusekwane shrub.