MANZINI: Four(4) new BMWs worth about R4million meant to strengthen the security of Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini and his Deputy Themba Masuku are detained at Carson Wheels in Manzini pending payments from the extravagant but financially struggling eSwatini Government.
An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that the vehicles were procured by Government through the Central Transport Administration(CTA) and subsequently delivered at Carson Wheels on or around the 27th June 2022.
When the vehicles arrived about three(3) weeks ago, a company belonging to Ludzidzini Council member Ncumbi Maziya was allegedly engaged by Carson Wheels to install sirens, the disagreement erupted after Maziya’s company demanded payment for a job that has not yet been paid for the Government.
Sirens are audible warning gadgets fitted on escorts that alert people or other vehicles when escorts arrive, demanding way to pass through.
Reached for comments, Carson Wheels Manager Mbono Motsa, the son to business tycoon Moses Motsa denied that they were ever engaged by Government to purchase the vehicles.
“There are no Government BMWs here, we only deal with servicing vehicles not purchases. They normally deal directly with BMW and we only do the servicing,” said the Carson Wheels Manager.
But this investigative journalist is in possession of photographic and other documentary evidence revealing the sequence of events from the time when the vehicles arrived, assembled and fitted with sirens at the Manzini Carson Wheels workshop, up to the time when they were parked waiting for payment.
Despite Manager Mbono Motsa’s denial,evidence in our possession suggests that by the end of business on Wednesday(13th July 2022), the BMWs with no number plates, were parked inside Carson Wheels.
A questionnaire was sent to Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe,the Minister of Public Works and Transport, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comment, Mlungisi Makhanya, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said the purchasing of the BMWs remained an insult to the Swazis.
“When there is no money for Public Sector Workers. When there is no money for medicine in our hospitals. When literally, Swazis are resigning from their jobs because the wages they are earning cannot finance their trips to go to work, the regime adds salt to the injury by buying cars. We call upon our people to make sure that they dont get to ride those cars, our people know what they need to do,” said the PUDEMO President.
Efforts were made to reach Ludzidzini Council member Ncumbi Maziya whose company was allegedly engaged to install sirens in the vehicles,however, his phone rang answered.
A questionnaire was then sent to the King’s man, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Eswatini senior Government officials including Mswati have embarked on looting public funds amid social challenges after the State failed to fulfill social obligations.
The Government is struggling to pay allowances for University students, provide drugs in hospitals, maintain roads in the rural areas, fund Free Primary Education(FPE) and award Cost of Living Adjustment(COLA) for civil servants among others.
New BMWs for Prime Minister and his Deputy’s escorts parked at Carson Wheels.