WHERE IS THE REST OF CABINET?

Madam 

Thank you for allowing me space to pen my thoughts in your widely read newspaper. I want to address the issue of the alcohol ban in the beautiful Kingdom of Eswatini. It seems it is only the Prime Minister Babe Ambrose MandvuloDlamini who is only allowed to address it in the 20-member Cabinet. I understand dear Editor that the PM is the head of government business, but surely he cannot run the country on his own?

In particular I want to address a few other Cabinet ministers who should be saying something about this ban. Firstly, allow me to single out the Honourable Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg. He had the entire country up in arms when he wanted to introduce an increase in sin tax which includes alcohol and tobacco related products. I forget by how many per cent he wanted to increase it, but he successfully did. He made it clear that this would increase revenue collection and the aim was to also ensure that emaSwati remained a healthy nation which would deter them from buying the products. It was a win win for all. So doesn’t the Finance minister now need that revenue, seeing as the country continues to have cash flow problems? 

liquor

The next minister who is also way too quiet on the matter is the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo. If memory serves me well he was the one who initially issued the regulations on the operating hours of bottle stores and other outlets which sell liquor. He gave the times and days of which people could sell booze. However, Khumalo’s silence is now too loud and one wonders what is going on. This is the minister who is responsible to ensure that businesses continue to operate in the country and I would like to know what he thinks about all these businesses which are bound to shut down as the ban continues. Does he think the country will be sustained by the newly introduced company, Kellog’s, which is not yet operational? 

Doesn’t the country need to have diverse businesses. Next in line should definitely be the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati. Is he aware that the hospitality industry mostly thrives because people like to enjoy their drinks while visiting hotels and other places of interest? I am very much worried about his silence because at least he should be advocating for people to be allowed to have their glass or three of wine while enjoying their dinner at these hotels. No, Mphephetse your silence is too loud on this issue. 

Editor allow me to move on to the Minister of Labour and Social Security another Vilakati, but this time Makhosi. Isn’t the minister concerned about all the job losses that have been brought about by the ban? Where are all these people expected to find work if this industry continues to be closed? The compensation from government is highly laughable at E400 and one is not even sure how frequently these peanuts are paid out. The least said about the Minister of Economic Planning and Development the better, Babe Tambo Gina what is this ban doing to our economy instead of enriching bootleggers?

I cannot end this letter without roping in the Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi. She has really failed to give us the scientific evidence or statistics linking the COVID-19 spread to booze. I would like to end here and wish I could receive answers from this Cabinet, phoke, I suppose we will wait for October. 

Very concerned citizen

Mandla D Zwane

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: