E114M REPAIRS: PRIORITISE NEW PLANES - MPs

LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament (MPs) have voiced strong criticism of the minister for Public Works and Transport regarding the significant expenditure of taxpayer funds on RENAC.

They labelled the aircraft ‘tifalakahla’.

Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC), a Category A enterprise within the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, faces scrutiny following the ministry’s annual performance report for 2024/25. The report reveals that 77.6 per cent of RENAC’s funding is derived from government subvention, with further contributions from Eswatini Air, fuel sales and ticket sales. Notably, the report, presented by Minister Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, highlighted that repairs and maintenance costs for the year amounted to E114.8 million.

Budget

During the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee’s debate on the ministry’s performance and 2025/26 budget, MPs challenged the minister over the exorbitant repair costs for aircraft.

 They contended that RENAC was draining the economy instead of generating revenue and suggested that funds allocated for repairs should have been invested in new aircraft.

The MPs argued that the ministry’s decision to purchase aircraft over 15 years old was fundamentally flawed. Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo asserted that continued funding for RENAC was untenable given the persistent expenditure on repairs.

He criticised the entity’s extra-parliamentary establishment, which he believed contributed to its current financial woes. Khumalo stated that the entity could not continue operating with “tifalakahla tetindiza” (old aircraft with mechanical issues).

He further explained that the financial burden was compounded by the necessity for RENAC to charter flights during aircraft repairs to maintain Eswatini Air routes, which further depleted public funds.

“We cannot continue with ‘tifalakahla tetindiza’. You purchased planes over 15 years old; what did you expect? This is a classic example of how shortcuts can lead to problems. It is time to purchase new planes instead of repairing these ‘tifalakahla’,” he emphasised.

Khumalo also urged the minister to introduce a Bill to formally establish RENAC, enabling its operational improvement. Ndzingeni MP Singalwi Magagula questioned the rationale behind excessive repair spending instead of purchasing new aircraft. Mhlambanyatsi MP Dr Bonginkhosi Dlamini advocated for RENAC to become self-sustaining, proposing a reduction of the government subvention to 25 per cent from its current 76 per cent.

Passenger

Mahlangatsha MP Mgucisi Dlamini raised safety concerns, questioning the adequacy of insurance and compensation plans in the event of a plane crash. MPs also highlighted passenger complaints regarding lost baggage due to inefficient transfer processes. Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini urged prioritisation of Eswatini Air.

In response, the minister clarified that Eswatini Air lacked certification for inter-airline baggage transfers, necessitating clear communication at check-in. The minister is expected to provide detailed responses to the committee.

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