LOBAMBA:Timothy Myeni, the Nkilongo Member of Parliament(MP)has questioned as to why Government intends establishing a R1.5billion Savings Fund amid social challenges affecting the poor in the rural areas.
Eswatini has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line, billions of taxpayers money sustain the lavish lifestyle of King Mswati, an absolute Monarch.
It is not clear if the Savings Fund will not be vulnerable to be looted by the King who controls all the three arms of Government being the Executive,Judiciary and the Legislature.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Timothy Myeni,the Nkilongo MP said even though he was in support of the fund, he was equally worried as to why government opted to start saving money instead of using the R1.5billion to improve the lives of the people.
“Imagine a father being proud that he has money or savings in the bank while his children are starving. Singatsi silambile le-Nkilongo bese ungitjela kutsi kunemali loyibekile, ibuhlungu Mr Speaker lendzaba lena. Kantsi phela nawungu-Hulumende weTinkhundla uhlakaniphile uhola,kufanele kutsi labantfu le-Nkilongo, eLubulini badle, ihlobe imigwaco,”said the Nkilongo MP.
But while MP Myeni was addressing the Speaker and mentioning “Lubulini”, other MPs laughed amid circulating information suggesting that Myeni intends standing for elections in his home area,Lubulini this year, he previously represented the people of Lubulini for two-terms.
But Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament(MP)Marwick Khumalo,the Chairman of the Finance Committee who was motivating the MPs to approve the R1.5billion Savings Fund said it would assist the country during tough economic times.
MP Khumalo said the money would not be transferred to the fund once,but government will save gradually to restore the image of the country in the eyes of international financial institutions.
The establishment of the fund was eventually approved by Members of Parliament(MPs).
King Mswati.