BUHLENI: King Mswati of eSwatini has urged citizens to drink more traditional beer(Buganu) as an alternative COVID-19 preventive measure.
This misleading directive from the Head of State that undermines international efforts by the World Health Organization(WHO) to fight COVID-19, comes after his Government failed to purchase vaccines and relied heavily on donations despite announcing a budget of R200million.
King Mswati subsequently used taxpayers money to buy two more jets through his Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation(RENAC).
“Lomjovo ufanana nalamaganu njoba nasitawuhle sitsi cabu-cabu kukujova kona ngekwako loko Lutsango(meaning: the Vaccine is like this buganu(traditional beer)because if we can consistently take a sip, that is like taking the vaccine,” said the King when addressing women regiments(Lutsango)at Buhleni Palace last weekend.
Reached for comments, Mayibongwe Masangane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union(SWADNU) said he was aware of the sentiments uttered by the King, he appealed to the authorities of the country to avoid making statements that caused confusion particularly on sensitive health issues.
“As a union, we are appealing to the authorities of the country to avoid making statements that mislead the people particularly on such sensitive health issues. People must listen to health experts on such issues,” said the Nurses Union Secretary General.
The sentiments by King Mswati directing Swazis to drink alcohol as an alternative COVID-19 vaccine comes after his Government failed to provide drugs in hospitals resulting to the death of dozens of patients.
King Mswati