MBABANE: Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo says Fuelex, the oil company that is alleged to be behind the fuel crisis in the country is a private entity owned by Liswati and has no support from Government.
This comes after the South African Broadcasting Corporation(SABC) Channel Africa interviewed Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini who stated that the fuel crisis in the country was caused by among others, a conflict of interest at political level.
It has been disclosed that Galp Eswatini is being frustrated that by Government not to source fuel from Mozambique,the intention, it has been disclosed, is to force Galp to close to give way for the politically connected Fuelex.
“Firstly, it is worth mentioning that one oil company encountered the fuel shortage; the other oil companies had fuel available hence the situation cannot be labelled as a fuel supply crisis. The fuel shortage experienced by this oil company was in relation to the company specific supply challenges that have nothing to do with Government and it is normal for any business to encounter internal challenges at some point during their operations. For instance, this particular Company experienced delays where they source fuel and this situation then put pressure to the other oil companies that had fuel and they had to stretch their supplies. It has also been falsely reported that Government is supporting a Royal linked company by the name of “Fuelex”. Fuelex is a private oil company owned by a liSwati and has no support whatsoever from Government. The company is one of the few emaSwati owned companies which is successfully competing in the fuel industry,” reads the statement in part.
It has been disclosed that Government increased taxes for oil companies that source fuel outside the Southern African Customs Union(SACU) suppliers to target Galp whose main supplier is in Mozambique.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo.