MBABANE: Alpheous Nxumalo, the eSwatini Government Spokesperson has confirmed the death of a tourist who was involved in a head-on collision with a Government bus on Tuesday.
Buses were released by Government amid the political unrest after public transport workers and owners downed tools, demanding democracy, the release of incarcerated Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza, Mthandeni Dube and other political prisoners.
“Following earlier reports concerning the condition of the tourist who was involved in a head on collision with a Government bus this week; an impression was created to the effect that the tourist in question was ‘relatively stable in hospital and awaiting to be airlifted to his home country. Upon receiving new and updated information, Government wishes to take this opportunity to pass condolences to the family, relatives and friends and to the passengers and driver who were in that particular bus for the passing on of the concerned tourist,” reads a statement released by the Government Spokesperson.
The tourist was killed in an accident after the State released buses driven by soldiers and the police without public driving permits.
Government was trying to mitigate the situation after public transport workers downed tools.
Reached for comments, Thulani Maseko, the Chairperson of the pro-democracy Multi-Stakeholder Forum warned tourists against visiting eSwatini in the midst of the political unrest.
“In as much as we would love to welcome tourists in our country, it is not advisable for them to visit us for now. This is an example that when you visit a country where there’s is instability, there’s a great risk of either getting hurt or being killed, as this tourist unfortunately has been a victim of this instability,” said the Chairperson of the MultiStakeholder Forum when speaking to Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini.
The MSF Chairperson advised tourists who loved eSwatini to help in resolving the crisis, so that they could visit a safe, stable and peaceful country.
A government press statement confirming the death of the tourist.