INVESTORS 'MARCH' TO COMMANDER
By Starsky Mkhonta
The Swazi Observer
30/05/2007
A GROUP of business people, mostly foreigners (investors), stormed Nhlangano Station commander’s office in reaction to the council's crackdown on their businesses.
Assistant Superintendent Alpheus Mavuso managed to fuse what could have led to bitter relations between the town council and some of the business people.
This was after he engaged both parties to round table talks where the matter regarding the operations effected by the council was successfully thrashed out.
As early as 8:30 a.m, business people were consulting with a view to have a word with the station commander. They wanted to lay charges against the council.
However, Assistant Supt. Mavuso, who displayed his maturity in dealing with such cases, called all parties into his office where he took note of every concern registered. council, represented by Town Clerk Mandla Mdluli and Deputy Chairman David Zeeman came armed with regulations to support the council’s action, that of cracking the whip in all businesses operating without following the Urban Act.
It was during the discussions that the business people were somehow convinced that they were in the wrong. This was after Mdluli had given explanations and reasons for their action.
During the discussions, it transpired that some of the business people were ignorant of the council's regulations.
In an interview, the town clerk confirmed that they managed to iron out a few misunderstandings with some of the concerned business people who felt the decision to confiscate their wares displayed outside the buildings was unjustified.
“We managed to share ideas and the business people who had taken us to the police station eventually understood why we acted in this way.
This was after we referred them to regulations we enforce. They had agreed that they are going to comply and it was a happy ending . At first, they wanted to lay charges and after detailing clause by clause that we were not acting on our own but applying the law, it clicked to them about what was expected of them before even setting up shop in the town.
We explained to them even the importance of occupancy certificate some of them do not have even now,” said Mdluli.
He, however, noted that a majority of those affected by the crackdown, that is those who are illegal, were not part of the yesterday’s meeting. He further said only a quarter of the business in Nhlangano was part of the discussions.
On the other hand, Top Guys Directors also confirmed that they held a successful discussion with the police chief in regard to the same issue.
“In short, we no longer have grudges with the council's decision. This was after they fully explained the reasons for their action, which we were all along unaware of. Now that we are clear, we are going to comply. In future, to any foreign investor such things should be explained,” said Khairul Shajalal, the Director of Top Guys Stores and Sanibonani.
Shajalal said it was for the first time since he arrived in Nhlangano, to engage in fruitful talks with the council authorities.
“We have smoked a peace-pipe and promising to comply. We are also pleased that all our goods confiscated have been returned.
We are, therefore, seeing no use of proceeding with the legal route we intended taking,” said Shajalal who operates about five shops in Nhlangano.
Meanwhile, Mdluli on the other hand said the crackdown would still continue, as there were still a number of defiant individuals.
“That we have engaged a few of them in such talks, does not mean we are going to stop checking on those who have not bothered to come forward. The show goes on and the next stop will be the spaza phones as well as transport operators,” said the town clerk.
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E100
000 for
nothing!
Swazi Times
30/05/2007
For
almost
a
week,
we
have
been
made
to
believe
a
company
belonging
to
king’s
appointee
to
the
Senate
Thandi
Maziya
paid
out
E100
000
to
bail
government
out
in a
last
minute
purchase
of
five
heifers
at
E20
000
each
to
be
presented
to
His
Majesty
the
King
as a
birthday
gift
from
government
last
year.
Somebody
at
the
Home
Affairs
ministry
was
preparing
to
process
payment
to
the
senator’s
company
when
the
transaction
was
intercepted.
It
has
emerged
that
in
fact,
the
heifers
had
been
bought
by
government
at
E7
000
each
and
that
it
never
borrowed
any
money
from
the
senator’s
company
to
pay
the
seller
the
E35
000,
but
used
taxpayers
money
to
do
so.
This,
in
effect,
means
the
E100
000
transaction
is
dubious
by
all
means
and
somebody
was
all
out
to
defraud
government
by
claiming
for
goods
that
were
never
ordered
or
delivered
(what’s
new?).
The
senator
has
publicly
declared
the
deal
legitimate,
adding
that
her
company
deserves
to
be
paid
because
she
rescued
government
from
embarrassment
and
that
it
was
not
forced
to
purchase
the
heifers
from
her
company
at
E20
000
each
because
business
is
conducted
on a
willing
seller,
willing
buyer
basis.
In
light
of
revelations
that
such
heifers
never
existed
in
the
first
place,
what
the
senator
needs
to
explain
now,
publicly,
is;
l
Which
heifers
did
she
sell
to
government
for
E100
000
if
government
used
its
own
money
to
purchase
the
same
for
E35
000?
l As
a
senator
and
an
appointee
of
the
king,
serving
in a
government
that
advocates
for
transparency
and
accountability,
what
is
stopping
her
from
producing
all
the
relevant
documentation
to
support
her
public
statements?
Her
credibility
is
seriously
at
stake
here.
l
Why
the
Home
Affairs
officials
who
attempted
to
process
this
transaction
should
not
be
co-charged
with
her
and
her
company
for
attempted
fraud
and
become
the
next
special
guests
to
His
Majesty’s
Correctional
Services?
Legitimate
deals
have
legitimate
documents.
So
how
legitimate
are
yours
madam
senator?
Man
dies
in
RFM
queue
by
ZWELAKHE
MOAHLOLI
Swazi Times
22/05/2007
MANZINI
–
The
long
queues
and
poor
services
by
nurses
who
leave
patients
alone
to
pursue
personal
errands
is
alleged
to
have
resulted
in
the
death
of
an
elderly
man
yesterday
at
the
Raleigh
Fitkin
Memorial
Hospital.
Stephen
Maphosa
(70)
is
said
to
have
died
around
3:30pm
while
still
waiting
for
his
turn
to
be
treated
at
the
hospital’s
emergency
room.
The
frustration
of
the
long
queues
and
alleged
‘lack
of
care’
by
nurses
could
easily
be
seen
on
the
faces
of
Maphosa’s
relatives
and
other
patients,
who
were
still
waiting
for
treatment.
Maphosa
had
been
sickly,
as
he
suffered
from
an
illness
related
to
his
liver.
The
family
members,
who
were
found
still
in a
state
of
shock
outside
the
emergency
room
in
the
early
hours
of
the
evening,
said
they
knew
of
the
problems
one
encountered
at
the
hospital.
“The
queues
being
one
of
the
problems,
we
had
requested
our
aunt
who
stays
around
Matsapha
to
come
early
and
get
his
ticket
(medical
report
card)
and
also
pay
for
his
consultation.
“This
was
because
my
father
would
be
travelling
from
Mabhidzi
area
in
the
Hhohho
region.
There
was
no
way
he
could
have
arrived
early.
We
arrived
at
the
hospital
around
8:30am
with
my
father
and
found
my
aunt
already
here,”
said
the
deceased’s
son,
Sibusiso.
He
said
as
the
queue
was
long
and
it
was
very
cold,
his
father
requested
that
they
helped
him
sit
by
the
lawn,
which
is
situated
between
the
consultation
and
emergency
rooms,
while
another
relative
waited
in
the
line.
Sibusiso
said
the
line
moved
at a
snail’s
pace
as
usual
and
another
frustrating
time
for
them
was
when
lunch
time
came.
“Despite
that
there
were
a
number
of
people
who
were
still
expecting
to
get
treatment,
the
nurses
came
out,
closed
the
door
and
said
they
were
going
to
have
lunch,
leaving
all
the
sick
people
on
their
own.
“The
nurses
came
back
at
around
2pm
and
continued
to
work,
but
the
lines
still
moved
at a
snail’s
pace.
“My
father
was
still
alive
by
then.
Around
3:30pm,
we
realised
that
he
was
not
moving
and
simply
lay
on
the
lawn.
“When
we
checked
we
realised
that
he
was
dead,”
said
Sibusiso,
while
stifling
tears.
While
the
family
has
accepted
the
loss,
Sibusiso
demanded
that
the
matter
be
addressed
quickly
before
more
people
died
in
queues
at
the
hospital.
He
lamented
that
they
would
have
to
go
back
home
without
their
father.
RFM
Administrator
Leonard
Dlamini
could
not
be
drawn
for
comment
as
he
referred
all
questions
to
the
Chief
Executive
Officer,
Futhi
Mdluli,
who
simply
said
she
was
not
aware
of
such
an
incident.
The
Minister
of
Health
and
Social
Welfare,
Njabulo
Mabuza,
could
not
be
drawn
for
comment
on
the
problem
of
long
queues
and
nurses
going
on
lunch
breaks
in
government
hospitals.
It
has
been
reported
that
the
same
problem
also
affected
the
Mbabane
Government
Hospital.
The
minister’s
phone
went
unanswered.
FOOD POISON SCARE
By Bheki Gama
The Swazi Observer
22/05/2007
A study carried out recently in Siteki has revealed that the population is exposed to contaminated food.
Former Lubombo Health Inspector Sipho Shongwe, who is currently furthering his studies in Australia, conducted a study at Siteki, checking for staphylococcus aureus in lettuce lettuce ready to be served. All in all six restaurants checked, Shongwe discovered that they served lettuce contaminated with the poisonous bacteria.
According to Jerry Nxumalo, Food Safety and Hygiene lecturer at the University of Swaziland Mbabane campus: "The study shows that food safety standards are extremely compromised in the country." Nxumalo, who supervised Shongwe when he carried out the study, explained that the bacteria was prevalent in everyone's nose where it was not harmful. "But when it is transferred to food, staphylococcus auredous multiplies and produces toxic chemicals whose main symptoms were often nausea or vomiting and painful stomach. He added that the bacteria were able to reproduce even inside a refrigerator.
The health professional was of the view that there was a need for a proper legislation which would enforce the training of food handlers, citing the case of England where he said everyone was barred by law not to handle food unless they produced a certificate showing that they were trained in the field- a cause he said took at least two weeks. Nxumalo said food handling had a universal principle that 'you do not touch food that is ready to eat.' He added that one could only touch foods which still have to undergo heat treatment like raw meat.
The lecturer's main concern was a legislation, which would empower food safety inspectors to close down a business concern found with compromised food safety standards. "The present law authorises health inspectors to force a restaurant, food outlet or production factories to remove contaminated food whereas the international practice is to close down such businesses until inspectors are satisfied that compromised standards are no more," he said, adding: "Presently, there is no supervision of standards in the country. We need a law to enforce standards." He said above that there was a need for a food act that would deal specifically with the quality of food in the country.
Nxumalo also mentioned that the growing trend, especially in the developed world was to keep places where food is prepared open to the customer so that there is tightened monitoring of food handlers. He also said food handlers were required by law to wear white and cover their head. He said this was to make it easy to spot any traces of filth on the one serving food. He also said it was easy to spread bacteria through bread which was often left in the shelves uncovered. "Most people want to buy warm bread and they would go about (touching) feeling loaves for warmth," he said, mentioning also that in the United States of America only cold bread was on the shelves because hot or warm would produce foam inside the plastic bag and perpetrate fungus growth in the bread.
He mentioned that the country did not have laboratories to test food for any kind of germ or toxic material. "We rely on South African tested foods," he said, adding, however that the country was becoming more and more of a dumping ground for untested food, especially those imported from Asian countries, which he said were increasingly flooding the market. He cited Sudan Red, a chemical found in spices, saying "we would not have known about it had it not been for South Africa."
Nxumalo mentioned a law drafted in 1999, which he said could have addressed part of the problem if implemented. He cited Section 95 and 97 as welcome parts of this legislation. Section 95 deals with 'forced' cleanliness of premises, whilst Section 97 talks about control of street food vending. Senior Health Inspector in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Sabelo Masuku acknowledged that the country's food handling standards were compromised. He said the possibility of staphylococcus aureus could not be denied. However, he said the ministry was already piloting a project that would deal specifically with this problem. He added that his team of inspectors was working hard to improve the quality of food handling, apart from making impromptu inspections and grading food outlets for quality.
Masuku advised that people should make sure that food outlets were clean and those handling the food spotless. However, he added that during inspections they discovered that "outlets look clean at the front but were usually disgusting behind closed doors where food is prepared." |
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One
robbery too
many (
Comment )
Swazi Times
21/05/2007
The rising
incidents of
robberies
are once
again a
source of
major
concern,
especially
where guns
feature
prominently
in the
attacks.
The recent
kidnapping
and robbery
of a bank
manager and
her family
serves as
reminder
that crime
levels are
statistics
waiting to
include the
rest of us
who may
think we are
safe from
harm by
protecting
known
criminals in
our domain.
Some people
look to
community
police to
provide them
with a good
night’s
sleep,
forgetting
how helpless
they are to
a firearm.
We are
encouraged
to learn
however that
there is
zero
tolerance in
some
communities
such as
Nsingizini
in Hluthi
where a
50-year-old
man and his
17-year-old
son have
been
arrested for
being found
with three
illegal
firearms.
It’s also
reported
that a
28-year-old
man of
Mfabantfu
area has
also been
arrested for
being
reported to
be in
possession
of a
revolver
hidden in
his house.
See page 17.
The arrests,
we are told,
are part of
the ongoing
Operation
Recover
Illegal
Firearms (ORIF).
It may look
like an
insignificant
number, but
four guns
could easily
kill 40
people.
Those who
provided the
police with
information
leading to
the arrests
ought to be
commended.
We can’t
always look
to
government
to solve all
our
problems.
Crime is a
national
problem
which is why
members of
the public
must prevent
the
robberies
before they
start by
reporting
people who
keep illegal
guns.
We have said
it before
and we will
say it
again; if we
add the
number of
police
officers to
the good
citizens of
this
country, we
by far
outnumber
the
criminals.
Save your
own life and
call the
nearest
police
station on
suspicion of
any criminal
activity in
your area,
if not your
own home.
50m
PROJECTS
STALLED
By
Bheki
Gama
The Swazi Observer
21/05/2007
THE
delayed
operationalisation
of the
satellite
bus
rank
in
Manzini
has
stalled
about
E50
million
of
investment.
This
was
revealed
by
George
Hatzin,
who
invested
about
E6
million
developing
one of
his
properties
adjacent
to the
rank.
During
an
interview
the
businessman
and
former
councillor
said
when
he
heard
about
the
council's
intentions
to
create
a
satellite
bus
terminus
he
took a
business
decision
to
develop
his
land
with
the
help
of
Swaziland
Building
Society.
“The
building
was
finished
just
about
the
same
time
the
terminus
was,”
he
said,
adding
that
as a
businessman
he saw
an
opportunity
and
took
advantage
of it.
However,
he
said
it has
not
been
easy
since
the
building
was
completed
three
years
ago.
He
stated
that
the
delay
in
getting
the
terminus
operating
was
costing
him
dearly.
“I am
losing
over
E150
000
per
month,”
he
said,
mentioning
that
his
building
has 10
shops
each
costing
E10
000 a
month.
He
said
five
others
on the
first
floor
cost
E9 000
each
per
month
and
nine
offices
in the
second
floor
costing
E3 000
each
per
month.
“These
prices
were
market
value
calculated
three
years
ago,”
Hatzin
said.
The
businessman
also
mentioned
that
every
space
was
booked
way
before
the
building
could
be
completed.
He
said
all
the
tenants
left
three
months
down
the
line
after
realising
that
there
was no
business
as
everyone
had
hoped.
He
took
The
Swazi
Observer
on a
tour
of the
property
where
only
four
offices
were
occupied.
“I am
charging
half
the
market
rate
because
I am
aware
the
place
has no
business,”
he
said.
Hatzin
said
apart
from
servicing
the
loan,
he had
to
hire
staff
to
maintain
the
building.
"I
was
forced
to
sell
some
of my
properties
to
service
the
loan,"
he
stated,
adding
that
the
more
the
operation
of the
bus
rank
was
delayed
the
more
he
suffered
losses.
Hatzin
further
said
there
were
two
other
businessmen
with
properties
near
the
same
terminus.
“One
of
them
had
already
started
demolishing
old
structures
on his
land
in
order
to
build
new
up-market
ones,”
he
said,
adding,
however,
that
both
stopped
investing
in
their
properties
fearing
that
they
might
end up
in his
situation.
“We
are
talking
about
over
E50
million
of
investment
here,
where
several
hundreds
of
people
were
to be
employed
and
give
the
municipality
several
million
in
rates
per
year,”
he
observed.
Hatzin
appealed
to the
Minister
of
Housing
and
Urban
Development
to
intervene
and
address
the
issue
of
congestion
at the
main
bus
rank
by
letting
public
transport
operators
know
about
the
importance
of
satellite
bus
ranks.
He
said
such
facilities
were
important
in
fast
tracking
the
growth
of any
town,
adding
that
every
city
in the
world
expanded
its
revenue
the
same
way.
“Concentration
should
not be
on one
part
of the
city,”
he
said,
mentioning
that
the
prevailing
scenario
made
in
extremely
hard
to
drive
through
Ngwane
street
at any
given
time
of the
day.
He
recalled
that
council
initially
recommended
two
satellite
bus
ranks
in
order
to
counter
the
concentration
in one
place.
He
mentioned
that
another
was to
be
built
at the
driver's
testing
ground
near
Sydney
William
Primary
School.
Hatzin
said
transport
operators
knew
about
the
satellite
bus
rank
long
before
it was
built,
only
to
turn
against
it
later.
He
said
he
would
not
have
invested
so
much
if he
was
not
convinced
that
the
facility
was to
operate.
Manzini
City
Council
Acting
Chief
Executive
Officer
(CEO)
Elleanah
Wamukoya
said
the
city
needed
development.
She
said
part
of the
development
was
looking
at
strategies
aimed
at
reducing
the
congestion
at the
main
bus
rank.
“Manzini
is
growing
and
there
is no
way
the
current
bus
rank
could
match
the
growth
of the
city
hence
the
development
of the
satellite
bus
rank,”
she
said,
adding
that
such
was
the
practice
in
cities
all
over
the
world.
Wamukoya
added
that
the
negotiations
between
the
City
Council
and
public
transport
operators
were
on-going.
She
said
as the
council
they
were
now
finalising
new
strategies
to get
the
satellite
bus
rank
working.
On
the
issue
of
Hatzin’s
investment,
Wamukoya
said
she
felt
extremely
sorry
for
the
businessman.
She
added
that
council’s
mandate
and
commitment
was to
fully
service
all
ratepayers
of the
city,
not
just
Hatzin.
She,
however,
mentioned
that
she
was
hopeful
that
the
rank
would
start
functioning
soon
and
that
the
businessman
and
all
others
who
wished
to
invest
in the
same
area
would
have a
reason
to
stay.
“We
need
development
all
over
the
city,”
she
emphasised,
adding;
“We
are
looking
for a
win/win
situation.
We
hope
there
would
be a
break
through
soon.”
Wamukoya
said
it was
rather
too
early
to
openly
state
the
exact
date
such
was
likely
to
happen.
Meanwhile,
The
Swazi
Observer
also
contacted
Councillor
Owen
Nxumalo
who
said
council
was
ready
and
willing
to
allow
public
transport
operators
to
start
using
the
facility.
He
stated
that
when
the
idea
to
built
the
satellite
bus
rank
was
first
discussed,
public
transport
operators
were
on
board
and
agreed
in
principle
that
they
would
use
the
facility.
“We
were
surprised
later
when
they
denied
knowledge
about
this
facility,”
he
said,
adding
that
it was
only
after
its
completion
that
transport
operators
started
disowning
the
facility.
However,
he
said
he was
hopeful
that
they
would
eventually
come
to
some
sort
of
agreement
on the
issue.
He
also
acknowledged
that
it was
important
to
distribute
businesses
evenly
in all
parts
of the
city
so
that
concentration
was
not in
one
place.
He
added,
however,
that
the
decision
to
built
the
satellite
bus
rank
was
not to
benefit
Hatzin
but
was to
reduce
concentration
at the
bus
rank.
On
the
other
hand,
Ambrose
Dlamini
the
chairman
of the
Swaziland
Commercial
Amadoda
Road
Transportation
Association
(SCARTA)
said
they
would
eventually
utilise
the
facility
after
satisfying
themselves
that
they
would
not
lose
out on
business.
“We
are
awaiting
the
completion
of the
Nazarene-Zakhele
road
and
then
we
would
discuss
with
council
and
try
and
address
certain
issues
our
members
feel
strongly
about,”
he
said,
adding
that
the
‘Interstate
buses’
once
tried
to use
the
steatite
bus
rank
but
failed
to
attract
customers.
He
denied
that
they
were
on
board
when
the
decision
to
build
the
facility
was
taken |
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ELECTRICITY
PRICE UP
By Ackel Zwane
The Swazi Observer
18/05/2007
ELECTRICITY
tariffs have gone
up, 2007, it has
been said.
However, Public
relations Officer
Fikelephi said she
was not in a
position to
confirm or deny
the increment
until the
processes have
been complement as
is the case every
year.
The SwaziObserver
gathered that the
development had
been adjusted as
from April 1,
2007.
The adjustment has
been made by the
Public Enterprise
Unit in accordance
with the ever
increasing input
costs. Mduduzi
Mtsetfwa, Head of
Marketing, flatly
refused to make
comment. An expert
within the PEU
said consumers
should take note
that the increase
in the tariff was
not because of the
winter season but
an annual
adjustment.. “We
acknowledge that
people around this
time change their
consumption
patterns. They
tend to use
heaters more,
children when
cooking turn on
the stove for a
longer time. Cooks
in the kitchen let
the hot water taps
to run until their
finish with their
cutlery work, for
instance. It is,
therefore,
important that we
should assist
consumers on how
to conserve this
type of energy,”
said Mtsetfwa. he
further advised
consumers to
change lighting
bulbs to energy
saving ones
because winter
hours are longer
and therefore they
would naturally
pay for longer
hours of lighting.
“If our consumers
take note of the
advice they would
be able to pay
promptly while
remianing
satisfied,” said
an independent
source within SEB.
He added that it
was important for
consumers to
acknowledge that
SEB must adjust to
the pressure of
running and input
costs because, in
eighty percent of
the cases they
import the energy
from neighbouring
countries who also
effect their own
tariff increases.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR
ELECTRICITY BILL
Did you know that
you can save money
by using your
electricity
appliances more
effectively?
Reducing your
electricity bill
is easy! You need
to know which
appliances use the
most electricity
and control their
use.
COST SAVING TIPS:
ELECTRICITY
GEYSERS
In an average
household (family
of four), a geyser
will consume about
450Kwh per month
costing around
E175.41.
- Do not set the
thermometer too
high. A setting of
55-60 degrees
Celsius is
recommended.
- Do not use more
hot water in the
bath than
necessary; topping
up the bath with
hot water from
time to time
increases
electricity usage.
In an ordinary
bath, 12 cm of hot
water represents
half of the
contents of a 3 kW
geyser and half
4kWh of
electricity is
needed to heat it.
- A shower uses
less than half the
hot water required
for a bath,
therefore, it is
advisable to use
it often.
- Use the cold tap
for cold water.
Using the hot tap
to obtain small
quantities of cold
water means that
you are using cold
water at the price
of hot water.
- A geyser uses
roughly 150Kwh a
month. To replace
standing heat
losses, insulate
the geyser and all
hot water steel
pipes in the roof
with fiberglass or
newspaper.
- Switch off the
geyser when not in
use, especially
when leaving for
holidays.
ELECTRIC STOVES
The use of two
plates and the
oven for roughly
two hours per day
consumes 300kWh of
electricity per
month, costing
around E116.94 per
month.
- Use pressure
cookers or
triangular pots on
one stove plates.
- Match pans and
pots sizes to
stove plates. A
small pot on a
large plate means
that heat around
the pot is wasted.
- Do not use pots
with distorted
bottoms because
they require more
heat.
- Do not use the
oven to heat the
kitchen; it is
more expensive and
far less efficient
than a normal
heater.
- Switch off the
stove plates or
oven immediately
after use, or just
before the food is
fully cooked. High
temperatures are
only necessary at
the start of the
cooking process.
- Microwave ovens
and electric
frying pans are
cheaper to operate
than a stove.
- Do not use the
microwave oven to
defrost foodstuff,
because it uses
more electricity;
rather defrost
overnight as it is
free.
ELECTRIC KETTLES
An electric kettle
uses about 32.4Kwh
of electricity per
month costing
E12.63 each month.
- Do not fill the
kettle to the brim
if you are only
making tea for
two; the element
should, however,
always be covered
with water.
- It is cheaper to
boil water in an
electric kettle
than in pot on the
stove.
- Store hot water
in the thermos
flask for later
use.
LIGHTING
Lights use about
36Kwh per month,
costing around
E14.03 each month.
The Consumption
is, however,
drastically
increased if
lights are left
‘on’ throughout
the night, or if
high-powered
lights like those
found in tennis
courts are used.
- Switch off
unnecessary lights
for example when
certain rooms are
not in use.
- Using fewer
light bulbs with
higher wattages
helps reduce
electricity
consumption. A 100
watt bulb, for
example, provides
the same light as
two 60 watt bulbs.
Where less light
is needed in a
room, remember
that lower wattage
light bulbs use
less power.
- Dimming switches
allow you to
regulate the light
level and so
reduce electricity
consumption.
- Compact
fluorescent lights
consume a quarter
of the energy of
incandescent
lamps, but still
gives five times
the light and
lasts up to 10
times longer than
them.
- Clean your light
bulbs regularly,
layers of dust
absorb up to 30
percent of the
light from the
bulbs.
ROOM HEATING
An electric heater
(1500W) uses 4.5
kWh of electricity
during a period of
three hours or
135kWh per month
costing around E53
per month.
- Insulate the
ceiling with
insulating
material.
-Keep doors to
unheated rooms
closed.
- Draughts through
doors and windows
can increase
room-heating costs
by as much as 15%.
- Use lower
voltage heaters.
Our winters seldom
warrant elaborate
heating systems.
- Ensure that the
heater has a
thermostat.
- It is cheaper to
use an electric
blanket than to
heat the bedroom
with a heater.
- Curtains also
help to retain
heat in room.
- Always make sure
that the aluminum
part at the back
of your heater is
clean and shining
because it help to
emit heat into the
room. Once it has
turned black, you
can coat it with
foil paper so that
your room remains
warm.
REFRIGERATION AND
FREEZERS
A refrigerator
with a freezer
uses about 198kWh
each month,
costing E77.18
month.
- Choose a
refrigerator size
based on the needs
of your family,
refrigerators
operate at peak
efficiency when
filled.
- Avoid opening
doors
unnecessarily.
- Ensure that door
seals are in good
condition.
- Do not place hot
food or liquids in
the refrigerator.
-Defrost regularly
according to the
manufacturer’s
specifications. A
heavy build up of
ice reduces
operating
efficiency and
increases the
running costs.
GENERAL
- Do not buy
larger or more
powerful
electrical
appliances than
are actually
required.
- Do not buy an
electric appliance
where a
hand-operated one
would suffice.
- Use the correct
appliance for the
job. For instance
do not use the
oven to make
toast.
- Solar heating
units can reduce
the geyser’s
electricity
THE Swaziland
Electricity Board
was established in
1963 to generate,
transmitt and
distribute power.
SEB’s power
generation
facilities consist
mainly of hydro
and diesel
generators.
Swaziland was self
sufficient in
electricity
generation until
1973 when it began
to experience a
short fall due to
the growing demand
hence the first
132kV ESKOM line
was
built.Thereafter
two ESKOM feeders
were built as
result of the
growing demand.
The situation was
somewhat improved
when the 400kV
power line enroute
to
Mozambique,Maputo
to supply the
Mozal Aluminium
smelter was
introduced in
Swaziland. This
allowed the
establishment of a
400/132kV bulk
supply substation
at Edwaleni as
part of the 400kV
Project.
The scope of the
initial phase of
the project
entailed the
establishment of
an interconnected
132kV grid/network
within Swaziland,
which linked the
existing (3) 132kV
lines from ESKOM
and new power
lines from the new
bulk supply
substation at
Edwaleni. Phase I
of the
intergration
project included
the upgrade of all
the existing
132/66kV
substations that
supplied the 66kV
networks
distributing power
to the rest of the
country together
with establishing
a new 132/11kV
substation.
The planning and
design criteria
adopted for the
reinforcement and
upgrade of the
132kV network was
for firm or single
contingency (N-1)
capability on both
transmission lines
and substation
equipment.
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Rapist
invades girls’ hostel
BY SIHLE
MZILENI Swazi Times
18/05/2007
NHLANGANO- A daring alleged
rapist took advantage of a lack
of security at Ngwane Teachers
College and invaded the Girls’
Hostel in the early hours of
Wednesday.
The man seemed not to fear the
dozens of students housed there
as he stormed into one of the
dormitories, assaulted a student
as he attempted to rape her,
while another, who tried to save
her colleague, was also beaten.
A cloud of fear is currently
engulfing the female student
fraternity here as they suspect
the man, who later fled, might
return.
Police are
still searching for him. The
names of the survivors of the
attack are known to the Times,
but have been withheld due to
the sensitivity of the matter.
It was established that the man
might have taken advantage of
the poor lights near the
Lomahasha Hostel and lack of
security as the fence is of a
poor quality and launched his
attack.
One of the survivors, now
sporting bruises, said she was
saved by a fellow student from
another dormitory as the man
pounced on her.
She had to be hospitalised as
she was being treated for a
partially closed eye, as her
attacker punched her with the
intention to weaken her to
submit to his demands for sex.
The survivor said she was still
finding it hard to come to terms
with her ordeal.
“I was woken up by a sound of
someone banging the door at my
dormitory and suddenly I saw a
man inside with a headscarf. I
hastily sat up; then the man
approached me on my bunk bed
with a sharp object,” she said.
She said she pleaded with him to
take her money or cellphone and
leave her alive, but he shook
his head in an indication that
he did not want both of the
things she had offered and he
began pulling down her pyjamas.
“He did not utter a word, but
reached for my pyjamas and I
screamed when he was about to
reach for my underwear. I
screamed repeatedly, but my
roommates lay still,” she said.
A brave girl from another
dormitory, who heard her
colleague crying, came to her
rescue.
The would-be rapist’s attention
was then diverted from his first
victim to the one at the door.
She said, “When I opened the
door the man came running
towards me and told me to back
off. He then hit me with an
object on my forehead and I lost
my balance and collapsed.”
She said by the time she
recovered from the dizziness
induced when she was hit, the
suspect had fled the hostel.
“Most people then arrived at the
scene and the Nhlangano police
were called. They took us to
hospital and we were treated and
discharged the very same
evening,” she said.
She said since the incident she
was really scared of being on
campus. Most students who were
interviewed said they were also
scared, adding that the suspects
were finding it easy to break
into the dormitories.
“There are no security guards
who patrol our hostels like it
is at the University of
Swaziland. We have requested
additional security personnel
from the administration,” a
student added.
College Principal Amos Mahlalela
could not be reached for comment
since his mobile phone was off
yesterday for the whole day. His
deputy, Jane Malinga, also could
not be reached by the time of
compiling this report.
The Police Public Relations
Officer, Superintendent Vusi
Masuku, confirmed the incident
and said the girls had opened
two cases of assault against the
wanted man.
Sylvia warns against buying
on credit
By Thabile Masuku
The Swazi Observer
14/05/2007
BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year
Sylvia Mthethwa has urged
women to invest for their
families and avoid buying
on credit.
She was speaking during a
mother’s day luncheon she
organised, held at
Esibayeni Lodge yesterday.
Mthethwa said it was
important for women to
think ahead to ensure that
they provide for their
families. The theme of the
event was ‘Woman, the
Homemaker, Leader and
Entrepreneur’.
She said investing for
their families was
expected of women, as
homemakers, leaders and
entrepreneurs.
“Our parents used to
keep seeds for planting
the following season. Do
not eat the seed. Ayidliwa
inhlanyelo,” she said.
The director of
Progress Stationery said
it was the responsibility
of women to make sure they
invested whatever income
they got into the future.
“Sometimes, as women,
we tend to spend too much
instead of investing.
Let’s try to invest for
our children so that they
don’t suffer,” she said,
further making examples of
women who made a living
through the selling of
handicraft (zenzele). “I
want to encourage women
with small businesses.
They are very important.
You don’t have to start
big,” said Mthethwa.
She then warned women
about being wasteful and
made a stern call against
buying on credit.
“Buying clothes and
everything by credit is
not right,” she said.
On another note,
Mthethwa said women had a
very important role to
play in leadership. She
said actually, the future
of any society lay with
mothers.
“Women are in the
forefront even in starting
projects at community
level. Remember that you
are leaders of this
country as well as leaders
in the whole world,” she
said.
To qualify this point,
Mthethwa paid tribute to
all women leaders in the
country, such as women
chiefs, cabinet ministers,
senators and Members of
Parliament. She made an
example of Minister of
Natural Resources and
Energy Dumsile Sukati, who
was present at the event,
and said she was quite
impressed by the minister
for also standing for
parliamentary elections,
despite that she was
already a cabinet
minister.
“We have many women
organisations that educate
each other, such as Ashewu
initiated by Professor
Lydia Makhubu. We also
have kagogo centres, where
children can at least have
a plate of food a day
through women. Charity
organisations, as well,
are mainly started by
women,” she said.
Lastly, Mthethwa said
women needed to be
trustworthy, faithful and
be consistent sources of
encouragement and
motivation. Moreover, she
said they needed to be
helpful in their
communities.
The packed event was
attended by His Majesty’s
Emakhosikati LaMotsa,
LaMbikiza, LaNgangaza,
LaMahlangu and LaNtentesa. |
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When a king walks …
Swazi Times
14/05/2007
The presence of His Majesty
the King at the ‘Fight
Hunger Walk the World’ event
calls for renewed commitment
from his government that has
so often disappointed where
it mattered most.
The walk was in aid of the
improvement of the lives of
children suffering in child
hunger and under-nutrition.
Children in Swaziland are
growing up to a population
where 70 percent of the
people live on less than E7
a day; the HIV infection
rate stands at 38.9 percent;
over 70 000 children have no
parents and to an economy
that is struggling to grow
beyond two (2) percent
annually.
The above statistics
represent a once thriving
economy that has been well
mismanaged. As we walk for
the improved lives of our
children, it is important
not to lose sight of how
this country has failed
them, excusing natural
disasters.
The country is still licking
the wounds of the E50
million job creation scandal
that has seriously
undermined one of a series
of efforts launched by the
king to alleviate poverty
within our communities. This
has become a norm in our
society with all funds
initiated to thwart poverty.
The Regional Development
Fund is another case in
point.
The walk by the king
therefore signifies the need
for introspection amongst
all the king’s men, some of
whom sit comfortably in
boards or institutions of
appointment enjoying ‘double
salaries’ and triple in some
cases.
Instead of closing the
legislative loopholes that
allow this, they have taken
to widening them to the
detriment of all the
children we walk for today
who will grow up to find
nothing left in the coffers.
The walk by the king should
signal an end to the use of
the king’s name to make
triple profits through
anything to do with royalty
where the taxpayer would
often pay double for the
same furniture (if
delivered), thanks to the
unscrupulous suppliers
working hand in hand with
some ‘dirty’ king’s men. The
walk should mean double, if
not triple effort ought to
be made by government to
block the E40 million a
month that flows towards
corruption so we may save
enough to divert towards
poverty alleviation
initiatives in preparation
for a brighter future for
our children.
If all the above could walk
in front and set the moral
and uncorrupted pace, there
is no reason for the rest
not to follow in their good
footsteps to provide a
healthy future for our
children.
Effluent pours into
dam
By Starsky Mkhonta
The Swazi Observer
09/05/2007
THE only factory in
Hlatikulu town, Chuan
-Yi-Paper is allegedly
depositing its
effluent into a water
reservoir used by the
public.
The company, situated
near Sibetsamoya, has
provoked the wrath of
residents into calling
for its immediate
closure following
failure to ensure that
the chemicals used
when processing its
products do not spill
into the nearby dam
supplying water to a
large number of
residents.
There are
uninformed reports of
some residents
suffering from bouts
of unknown illnesses
blamed on the
contaminated water.
This is more so
because some of the
residents have no
alternative water
supply or access to
clean, safe water..
Right at the
beginning of this
month, angry residents
staged a protest march
and demanded an
explanation from the
company authorities
why they (residents)
were being 'poisoned'.
In an interview,
Hlatikulu Town Clerk
Sandile Hlatshwako,
confirmed that
residents were not at
all happy in the
manner the company
conducted business, in
particular its failure
to have the spillage
of the chemicals
addressed.
"It's a very hot
and sensitive issue.
Residents have been
complaining all along
but this time, they
are seemingly showing
signs of being fed up.
Just last week, a
number of them staged
a protest march
threatening to deal
with the management.
Some were even
overheard shouting
that if nothing was
done soon, they may be
forced to take the
worst decisions," said
Hlatshwako.
The Town Clerk said
there had been
numerous reminders
where the company was
advised to seek other
alternatives to avoid
the spillage of the
chemicals into the
said water consumed by
the public.
He said there were
some efforts by the
company to stop the
spillage but had not
worked out to the
expectations of the
residents.
"They tried
creating what is known
as French drainage but
still the system has
not worked. We are
experiencing one and
the same problem,
hence some of the
residents now want to
deal with the company
directly. Last week
the situation was so
tense and we are not
too sure whether we
are going to be able
as a municipality to
control them in future
if the polluted water
issue remains
unresolved," said the
Town Clerk.
On the other hand
Company Senior Manager
Dum'sani Dlamini said
they were not folding
their arms but were
busy addressing the
problem. Dlamini, who
said it would be
proper for the
reporters to visit the
site for a first hand
impression to prove
that the issue was
given all the
attention it deserved,
said things had
improved.
"You better
personally visit us to
observe what I am
talking about. Come
personally so that you
may have a clear
picture of what I am
talking about," said
the Manager.
Residents started
complaining about
their safety in the
wake of the factory
giant with
questionable spillage
as far back as two
years ago.
When reached for
comment, the Swaziland
Environmental
Authority (SEA)
confirmed that such an
issue had been
reported. Mboni
Dlamini, one of the
senior officers, said
in as far as they were
concerned, the parties
concerned would find a
lasting solution.
"Such an issue was
reported and we went
to the site where we
recommended what
needed to be done to
prevent the said
chemicals from
spilling into the
reservoir," said
Dlamini |
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Man donates
E1m to Jeremiah’s church Swazi Times
09/05/2007
BY MUSA NHLEKO
MANZINI – A local businessman,
responding to a calling from above,
will spend approximately E1 million
in funding national crusades for
Apostle Jeremiah Dlami-ni’s Faith
Christian Fello-wship Ministries (FCFM).
The businessman, who is in property
development and plies his trade both
in Swaziland and South Africa, said
he received a calling from God on
how His Word could be spread
throughout the country.
Mathokoza Shongwe, who has his own
ministry, the Soul for Christ
Ministry, said he would work with
Apostle Jeremiah on the crusades,
seeing as he had already started on
them.
He said his
calling led him to Apostle Jeremiah,
whom he claims to have not known
until he shared the vision of having
the crusades throughout the country.
“He shared the vision of revivals,
yet God had also given me the same
calling of Evangelism.
“God made it possible that we meet
and there was a need that I work
with the Apostle, because we had the
same burden,” said Shongwe.
He said this meant that he was going
to work hand in hand with the
Apostle in the revivals around the
country.
When asked how the E1 million would
be used, Shongwe said the programme
had an ongoing plan, which could use
up E1m in the long run. He said this
could happen when they cross the
Swazi border.
He said the first revivals, which
will be held in Manzini, could be
estimated around E200 000.
Shongwe said the different areas
they would visit around the country
would have different expenditures.
He said the most costly would be the
crusades that would be held in
stadiums.
It was gathered that Apostle
Jeremiah had announced at his church
that the crusades had received a
donation of E1 million. Shongwe said
the Apostle could have been making
reference to the overall amount
after all the regions had been
visited.
“I cannot quote a figure as it may
be lower or higher at the end of the
day.
“This is mainly because one crusade
may cost about E200 000.
“We will be looking at having five
crusades in stadiums,” he said.
Senior church members expressed
excitement on the one million
Emalangeni donation, but would not
be drawn to comment as they referred
all questions to the Apostle.
“We are aware of the donation, but
we do not have the logistics.
“The Apostle, as a senior member of
the church, would be in a better
position to issue a statement,” said
a member of the church.
Apostle Jeremiah, when reached for
comment, requested not to say
anything as yet and set an
appointment for next week Wednesday.
More
woes in hunt for rig moneys
By
Bheki Gama
The Swazi Observer
08/05/2007
INTEREST accruing from the E9
million much talked about
water drilling rig ‘special
account’ could not be
finalised by the Public
Accounts Committee (PAC)
yesterday, pending a court
judgment.
MPD Marketing and Supplies
(PTY) LTD took government to
court to stop a commission of
inquiry into the purchase of
the rig and the interest.
The ministry of natural
resources and energy
officials, led by Principal
Secretary Bremmer Nxumalo,
explained that the court was
yet to pronounce a judgment on
the case and therefore their
hands were tight.
The ministry official
appeared before the committee
yesterday after he promised
the PAC answers last Thursday
when he was grilled by the
PAC, which wanted to know as
to whom between government and
MPD Marketing and Supplies
(PTY) LTD benefited from the
interest. He asked the
committee for some time to
consult with the Attorney
General’s Office, which he
said authorised the release of
the amount to MPD Marketing
and Supplies (PTY) LTD. The
company, owned by Senator
Mpheni Dlomo, won tender
number 177 of 2004/2005 to
procure and supply the water
drilling rig on behalf of the
state.
The ministry produced a
response to the committee’s
key questions that was signed
by the Attorney General,
Majahenkhaba Dlamini.
The AG mentioned that the
issue of interest was with a
commission which, however,
could not finish looking into
the matter because of court
proceedings instituted by
Dlomo’s company.
The AG’s response read in
part: “In your response of
today you wished to know if
the government funds which
were locked in a bank
guarantee accrued any
Interest. These are the funds
which were set aside for the
purchase of the drilling rig
and accessories.”
Further, it said: “You will
recall that this matter of the
rig caused a lot of dust for
many persons when it appeared
that payment had been made but
delivery not effected at all
or timeously.
“As a result of the
confusion government set up a
commission to investigate and
report on any loss which
government suffered following
the alleged payment without
delivery.
When the commission was
challenged by MPD Marketing
and Supplies, it stopped its
proceedings pending the
outcome of the court case. The
court has not yet delivered
its judgment. So the
commission has not yet
reported.”
Finally, the AG said: “The
report of the commission would
in part show the interest lost
as a result of the guarantee
deal. This is, it there was
any loss at all.”
The ministry took quite a
while trying to explained how
the ‘special guarantee
account’ came about. However,
the Clement Dlamini-chaired
committee proved hard to
convince.
A heated debate ensued
afterwards as PAC members
pushed the ministry for
answers. The committee wanted
to know how the E9 million was
reached as a price for the
drilling rig when it was said
the rig cost E7 million. The
ministry said the E9 million
was reached after the
inclusion of the support truck
and accessories which amounted
to E1.5 million.
MP Elias Sikhondze wanted
to know who was responsible
for the MPD account, Special
Account and the Bank
Guarantee.
Nxumalo said everything was
done in conjunction with the
Accountant General’s office.
The chairman asked Accountant
General Elliot Sihlongonyane
to explain his relationship
with the ministry with regard
the issue at table.
Sihlongonyane, however,
wished to consult with his
lawyers first before taking
the floor. Later he said he
only wanted to table his
concern that he was an
interested party in the court
case and wanted the concern to
be recorded before he could
explain in detail how he
handled the rig payments.
MP Vulindlela Msibi
suggested that the debate be
stopped because the matter was
still pending before court.
However, the chairman ruled
him out. After several
attempt, the chairman
threatened to chuck him out if
he persisted. It was then that
Moi Moi Masilela suggested a
caucus for the PAC.
The suggestion was
subsequently supported by the
majority. However,
Sihlongonyane was asked to
relate how he handled the rig
matter. He explained that the
manufacturers of the equipment
wanted 65 percent of the total
cost of the rig deposited up
front before they started
manufacturing the equipment.
He said this was not new,
adding that police caspirs and
other heavy machinery were
bought in the same manner. He
said he was satisfied that the
money would be returned to the
state should anything happen.
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Spear-wielding man
burns uncle to death
BY NATHI GULE
Swazi Times
09/05/2007
KAMKHWELI – An elderly man died painfully on
Sunday evening when his nephew locked him up
in his own hut before setting it on fire.
The nephew, Sipho Gadlela, is said to have
not only locked Babili Masina inside the
house, but stood guard outside with a spear,
which he threatened to stab him with if he
dared attempt to escape.
Rather than face Gadlela who stood guard
with the spear, Masina opted to take his
chances with the fire, which resulted in his
death.
Gadlela is said to have
further chased away relatives and other
people who tried to come to Masina’s rescue
by stoning them and threatening to stab them
with the spear.
While all this happened, the fire raged on
with Masina still inside.
This was the tragic end to a protest Masina
had over what he suspected to be a secret
love affair between Gadlela and his (Masina’s)
wife, LaZwane.
The incident has left the small community in
anger as they have made known their feelings
towards the suspected couple for its
actions.
It was gathered that Masina (68), in a fit
of anger, had earlier set 44-yeard-old
Gadlela’s hut on fire after he found his
wife LaZwane (35) inside with the door
locked. The two were still inside when he
burnt.
This was after he had found the gate to the
homestead locked and had to force his way
in.
According to relatives, Masina told the two
suspected lovers to vacate his premises
after they refused to let him into the
house, fuelling his suspicions of the
affair.
Masina’s grieving brother Abraham said the
deceased had returned home late that day
from a neighbouring homestead.
“He spent several minutes outside the gate
before he forced his way in, only to find
that his wife of six years was with the
nephew, locked in his house. He then started
a fire and set the house alight,” said the
brother.
The two are said to have rushed out and then
tried to save a number of items they could,
before the raging fire brought the stick and
mud house to the ground in ashes.
All that remained of the hut was the metal
frame of Gadlela’s single bed and a small
part of the smoke-tainted walls.
A resident, Make Lewis, said she saw a
bustling flame from a distance and knew that
there was trouble as she could also hear the
argument from her house.
She said arguments were common at the Masina
homestead because the trio were regular
consumers of traditional brew (umcombotsi).
“This time I could hear that Gadlela was
angry because his clothes had been burnt and
he threatened Masina. I then heard him
shouting, ‘ngitokugwaza ngalesikhali,
sitobona uto phumaphi (I will stab you with
this spear, we will see how you will get
out.),” she alleged.
She said they then rushed to the scene with
other residents, only to find Masina’s house
also burning with Gadlela outside, armed
with a spear and a bushknife.
“Whoever tried to walk in through the gate
was stoned by Gadlela and he also threatened
to stab them, if they entered,” the other
residents, who had come to inspect the
damage said.
Later, police and Fire Services personnel
were called to the scene and they disarmed
the man, but by the time the fire was put
out Masina had been burnt to death.
His remains were found huddled in a corner,
which was evidence that he had tried to hide
from the fire.
Police Public Relations Officer
Superintendent Vusi Masuku confirmed the
incident and said Gadlela was charged with
murder.
BORDER JUMPERS:
6 JAPANESE CAUGHT
By Mbongiseni
Ndzimandze
The Swazi Observer
04/05/2007
ABOUT six Japanese were arrested at
Mahamba border while trying to
illegally cross into the country.
The six Wang Peiven, Zeing Liugen, You
Yanham, Huang Haunzi and Tang
Guantogbing were arrested by members
of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force
who later handed them over to the
Nhlangano police.
Captain Khanya Dlamini stated that
they were arrested while trying to
jump the fence. Upon investigations it
was discovered that all of them were
without valid traveling documents or
permits thus rendering them likely to
be guilty of contravening the
Immigration Act. Police Public
Relations Officer Superintendent Vusi
Masuku said police handed over the
Japanese to the courts for legal
proceedings.
He said they were facing charges of
contravening the Immigration Act.
By the time of their arrest they
were not carrying anything, which, it
is believed, is a clear indication
that they only wanted to cross into
the country.
Captain Dlamini also reported that
soldiers in various cordons in the
country, especially Maphiveni,
Lomahasha, and Mhlumeni managed to
arrest 38 Mozambicans who were trying
to get into the country.
“USDF serves to sustain, defend and
promote peace. We appreciate the
relationship we have maintained with
the communities in our operational
areas,” he said obviously in
appreciation of co-operation with
communities in the border areas. He
also reported that at Sicunusa 11
cattle were stolen and the matter was
later handed over to Nhlangano police
who are currently investigating.
Captain Dlamini also said soldiers
along Mshololo arrested two men from
South Africa who were carrying dagga
weighing 54kg stuffed in a black
plastic.
The Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force
also confisticated goods valued at
over E 20 000 pending payment of
customs duty.
The goods include, amongst others
bags of onions, potatoes, 30 packets
of boss whisky, 12 cases of missa
maneria and 50 volumes of cigarettes.
Captain Dlamini said the threat to
peace and stability of the kingdom
would stimulate the USDF to move its
force to the troubled arrears where
lives of residents staying next to the
borders are at risk.
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Suicide ex-cop leaves country
BY BONISILE MAKHUBU
Swazi Times
02/05/2007
SITEKI – The former police officer who tried to force
his children to take weevil tablets in a mass suicide
attempt is believed to have left for Mozambique with the
poisonous tablets.
Thembela Matsenjwa is protesting
alleged non-payment of gratuity by government, and has
tried in vain numerous times to get the relevant
authorities to attend to his matter.
Matsenjwa, 58, is currently wanted by the Siteki police,
who plan to take him in for counselling following his
attempt to commit suicide and force his three children
to do same.
His wife told the police yesterday that she had learnt
that her husband was in Mozambique; here he would spend
a few days before returning to the country.
It could not be gathered why Matsenjwa had to take with
him the packet of weevil tablets.
Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Vusi
Masuku said the Siteki Station Commander had taken it
upon himself to see that Matsenjwa and the children were
safe.
“He paid them a visit on Wednesday night and yesterday
morning with the intention to see if they were alright.
Unfortunately he did not find Matsenjwa. It was only in
the morning that his wife said he (Matsenjwa) was in
Mozambique,” he said.
Supt. Masuku said the police would wait for Matsenjwa to
return, at which time they would discuss the matter with
him as they believed he was exposing his children to
danger.
“We are concerned about the lives that are being exposed
to danger and, as one of our responsibilities is to keep
peace and prevent harm, we will talk to him about the
situation,” he said.
On Wednesday, Matsenjwa locked himself and his children
in a bedroom, where he said he wanted everyone to take
the weevil tablets and end what he described as their
miserable lives.
He said circumstances compelled him to do this.
Matsenjwa claimed that government was refusing to pay
him his dues after he worked at the Anti-Abuse Unit for
years.
He retired from the police service in the late 1980s
after a doctor recommended he did so on medical grounds.
Save the Children condemned Matsenjwa’s act of involving
his children in what they termed ‘blackmail’.
Royal
Advisor had dire financial straits
By Thulani Ndwandwe
The Swazi Observer
02/05/2007
ROYAL Advisor Ngcinyane Sibanyoni could have died
along Gilffilan Street in Mbabane after taking his
life due to financial problems, it has been gathered.
He had parked the car to swallow the tablets. He then
called one reverend to where he was and it was then
that he was rushed to Mbabane Clinic where he finally
succumbed to death. The reverend found him still
vomiting but could speak, it was revealed. The
reverend came with the deceased’s grandson. He showed
them the note, it was gathered, which was later taken
to the family and subsequently to the police.
Our investigations revealed that Sibanyoni left a
six-page suicide note with details of funeral
proceedings to the point of specifying what he wanted
in the programme.
In the letter he stated that he could not continue
living anymore because of the circumstances under
which he lives. He was not specific, however, on the
child bringing him misery.
Our sources emphasised that his death had nothing
to do with his work.
The note contained mainly what he wished would
follow after his demise. It was gathered that he
bought five weevil tablets and swallowed all of them.
He washed the tablets down with a Coca Cola soda, it
was gathered.
A reverend from the AEC Church was designated to
lead the funeral proceedings and the deceased
requested no night vigil.
In the letter he mentioned names of certain
personalities he wished would be first to know and do
certain things for him.
One of these is the reverend, who was among the
first to arrive in the Ezulwini home.
Sources revealed that part of the unbearable
conditions were:
*Had too many debts
*Had problems with one of his children who gave him
torrid time.
*Sold his home to live with one of the children.
*Proceeds from sale of home exhausted, more misery.
*Income from recent engagements could not improve
situation. Before contemplating suicide had been hit
with a club while asleep, preferred to spend the night
in backyard.
Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Vusi
Masuku said relatives came to report Sibanyoni’s death
and investigations were being conducted by the Mbabane
police. He said forensic investigations, including a
post-mortem, would be conducted to establish the cause
of death.
When asked about the details of the suicide note
Superintendent Masuku would only confirm that it was
handed over to the police “but for ethical reasons I
can disclose its contents only the next of kin of the
deceased to whom the note was addressed.”
Before retiring from the police service he was a
Senior Superintendent. He was once Commander at
Matsapha College in the mid 80s and on retirement he
was Regional Commander for Hhohho region.
Some sources close to the family said his death
could have been the only escape to peace because a
number of people gave him a tough time demanding
payment for the many debts he incurred as a result of
the demanding child. |
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Mayor
jets out on gravy trip
BY INNOCENT MAPHALALA
Swazi Times
02/05/2007
MBABANE – Manzini City Mayor Zibuse Simelane left the country last
weekend on the controversial trip to three Asian countries.
Simelane was accompanied by two council officials.
These are Chief Health Inspector Richard Mamba and Treasurer Goodluck
Gule.
They will be away for about two weeks.
The trip takes them to Thailand, Malaysia and The Philippines, where
they will be attending international executive short courses.
The courses are on Good Urban Governance and Project Planning and
Management. Registration fees for the three officials exceeded E90 000.
This figure excludes air fares and allowances. The figure covers
accommodation and breakfast, where meals are concerned.
The trip became controversial from the onset, when it was announced at a
council meeting.
Half the number of councillors opposed it, but later, it was put to the
vote again and the majority were for it.
Ratepayers decided to take the matter to Housing and Urban Development
Minister Mabili Dlamini, requesting him to stop the mayor and officials
from going on the trip.
The minister weighed the options and felt that it would be better for
the three to go ahead.
The Times has established that at the time the issue reached the
minister’s office, the registration fees had already been paid.
“The minister felt that the ratepayers would lose about E90 000 if the
trip was called off,” said Principal Secretary (PS) Paul Nkambule.
“Also, the issue had been a council resolution and it is not normally
easy to rescind resolutions already taken.” The three are expected to
give a report to the minister when they return. They are expected back
in the country on May 15, 2007.
Acting Mayor Jonathan Sigudla – a pastor – did not want it known that
the three had taken the trip. He said as far as he was aware, the mayor
was in the country. He was called on more than one occasion, but
maintained his stand. “I am not the acting Mayor. I’m only the deputy,”
he said. Simelane informed his principals at his workplace before the
weekend that he would be out of the country for two weeks on council
business.
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Parly sets up St. Marks probe
By Mbongiseni Ndzimandze
The Swazi Observer
01/05/2007
A parliament select committee to investigate operations of St. Marks
Primary school in Mbabane has since been set up.
The probe comes after Mbabane East Member of Parliament Esther Dlamini
moved a motion that a probe be put in place, since there was a lot going
wrong in that school.
The committee will investigate, amongst others, the working conditions,
which were once described as unbearable by parents and teachers.
It will also investigate allegations of funds misappropriation in the
school, which parents believe was the major cause of poor performance.
Other things that the committee is expected to investigate include the
alleged sour relationship between the head teacher and parents.
The parliamentary committee include, amongst others, Mariah Ntshangase,
Mfomfo Nkambule and Aaron Dladla.
The committee is expected to resume operations soon and make
recommendations on how the school could be rescued since it was clear that
it was heading to the rocks.
The committee is also expected to recommend on what action should be
taken on the alleged misappropriation of funds and the unworkable
conditions.
In one of the parents' meetings they expressed their dissatisfaction on
the way some of the things were being handled and further asked the
ministry of education to intervene.
The Members of Parliament will also investigate the issue of
stationery, school committee and some other issues of concern raised by
parents.
So serious was the situation that the Hhohho regional education officer
was once called to intervene.
One parent during one of their meetings stunned the gathering when he
alleged that pupils were taught about sex, which he promised to produce
evidence if he was to be challenged.
The school is currently headed by Chris Davis after the departure of
Lucky Zwane, who was transferred to Motshane primary school where he is
also the principal.
Members of the public or anyone who has anything to say to the
committee pertaining the school or any vital information is encouraged to
come forward.
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