By Mduduzi Hlophe

MBABANE: Sibongile Mazibuko the President for the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress says government's decision of shutting down 'Dubai' dealers will affect low income earners.
This comes after the issuance of the "Used Motor Vehicle Permit Specification Notice 2020\" by the Minister Of Finance Neal Rijkernberg.The notice seeks to ban the importation of cars older than seven ( 7) years .
In an interview with this Swaziland News, the NNLC President said government should have raise civil servants\' salaries so they could afford expensive cars .
"The import cars are way cheaper, they can be as cheap as E20 000. Now that government\'s has banned them,civil servants will be forced to buy new cars that are manufactured in the SADC region. These cars are expensive and only a few can afford them,"she said .
Mazibuko further mentioned that for one to afford such cars, they would need to seek funding from Financial
institutions.
"However, it is impossible with contract teachers who are only engaged by government for a short period of about 2 years. Banks are only financing permanent employees since they have longer payment plans. These contract teachers will not be able to buy cars from the little they earn, a car is no longer a luxury but a need\" , said the NNLC President.
When reached for comments Wander Mkhonza,the Secretary General for the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland said people are now buying cars for convenience as opposed to luxury.
"This is because the public transport infrastructure is very weak, it is very difficult to get to work on time when using public transport. People are buying cars to keep time . One major problem is the dilapidated state of our roads which is killing the public transport industry. Government should work towards the betterment of the lives of the citizens instead of frustrating them.But it is clear that our government is full of selfish individuals that want to enrich themselves at the expense of the nation", said the ATUSWA Secretary General.