GOVT INTRODUCES STRICT MEASURES FOR TRAVEL PERMITS

MBABANE - Strict conditions have been attached to the travel permits issued by government.

The permits are used to control the travelling of people from one town to another during the partial lockdown which is aimed at minimising the spread of the coronavirus.

 The travel forms have been distributed to all Tinkhundla centres so that they could be accessed by the public wishing to move from one thrown to another for different reasons during the partial lockdown.
This means that travel of people would now be approved by regional administrators through bucopho, inner council tindvuna, and caregivers among other officials.

Ideally, the partial lockdown regulations provide that people should stay at home during the fight against the pandemic.

Essential

However, government felt duty-bound to allow movement of people who provide essential services, those who seek essential services such as medication, attending funerals, buying food among other services outside their places of residences.
In order for them to acquire the permits, the people have to convince the officials on why they wanted to move from one region to another at a time when the country is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ezulwini Royal Kraal was visited to ascertain how the issue of travel permits was dealt with. In an interview in the presence of the inner council, bucopho Menzi Mndzebele said the travel permits were not a free-for-all.
Mndzebele said interviews were conducted to ascertain the need for travel.

He said people had come up with different reasons when applying for the permits.
“Some claim that they want to go to hospitals and we advise them to use the local clinic (Satellite Clinic) without issuing the permit for travel. It is the clinic authorities that have power to refer the people to the Mbabane Government Hospital if there is a need. The people can produce the clinic document to the police if they opt to use public transport,” he said.
For those who want to buy food outside Ezulwini, Mndzebele said the officials start by establishing if the products they required were not available at the local shops.

Available

He said the residents were advised to use the local shops if the products were available.
Mndzebele said the permits were issued to those who had appointments in hospitals for X-rays, to fetch medication and scheduled check-ups.
“We also issue the permits to those who want to attend funerals and check their relatives in hospitals. We work closely with caregivers who know the people to make sure that people do not fabricate stories in order to get the permits,” he said.
Mndzebele said there was no need for people to be unfaithful at a time when government was trying to save their lives. He said as a result of the tight scrutiny, many people did not qualify to get the permits.

He made an example that in a group of 10 people, less than four were successful. Mndzebele said he started issuing the permits shortly after he received them at around 11am on Monday. This, he said, was after he was flooded with calls from residents who wanted to travel.
It should be noted that employers have been urged to write letters and attach permits for ease of movement for employees.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: