MBABANE: Senator Thulie Dladla, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said King Mswati’s private jet will be used to transport over 700 eMaswati back into the country in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown across the world.
Speaking during a press conference held in Mbabane on Thursday, the Minister said hundreds of eMaswati had registered their desire to come back into the country.
“As a ministry we would like to clarify that it is difficult to bring them home due to the fact that airlines all over the world are grounded except for the Ethiopian Airlines. Over 700 Emaswati have registered their desire to come back home, most of them are in America, United Kingdom and Canada. They have been requested to buy Ethiopian Airlines tickets to Addis Ababa.The King has allowed us to use his Siyinqaba which will pick the affected Emaswati from Addis Ababa and government will only cater for the costs of transporting them from there\" she said.
But the Minister further clarified that these Emaswati will have to meet government halfway and buy tickets from wherever they are to Addis Ababa or any African destination that can be convenient for government, adding that they should be in groups that can fill up an airplane.
She said upon arrival, they will undergo a 14 days quarantine while being monitored by the Ministry of Health.
King\'s jet