By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Luke Lushaba,the Chief Fire Officer took a decision that resulted to public and private infrastructure being burnt by wild fires, amid shortage of both working equipment and human resources.

The Chief Fire Officer allegedly ordered Officers to leave their work Stations to prepare for the upcoming Fire Day in winter and at the time when the country “is vulnerable to wild fires”, millions of properties critical to the economy have been destroyed by Lushaba’s decision.

The State and private resources destroyed after Lushaba’s decision include King Mswati’s Ludzidzini Libandla Room,private homes, forests and Stone Free Mdzimba Resort at LaMgabhi eTiyeni as well as the Bhunu Mall.

King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane confirmed to this Swaziland News earlier that,the King or the Ludzidzini Palace was among other victims of the ongoing wild fires.

“Upon double checking if there has been another fire this week,I discovered that it is still the wild fire we recorded a week ago.Yes,fire engulfed the building in question.There were fires everywhere a week ago in Eswatini fanned by very strong winds. Several homes were affected”, said the King’s Spokesperson.

A document in possession of this publication suggests that,after issuing the order directing Fire Officers to leave their Stations for the upcoming Fire Day rehearsals, Lushaba subsequently released a minute banning off-days and stopping officers from going on leave,in an effort to mitigate the blunder.

“Please be informed that applications for vocational leave and off-duty days lieu of Public holidays shall be temporarily suspended until further notice subject to the exigencies within the Department”,reads the minute in part,released amid public outcry as  fire continues to destroy properties worth millions.

But senior fire officers told this publication that,the Department has been left with no resources as Lushaba decided to prioritize the Fire Day where he will promote himself to the King while public and private infrastructure remain vulnerable.

The Chief Fire Officer declined to comment about the blunder that resulted to the country losing millions of public and private infrastructure.

Eswatini is facing wild fires after a blunder committed by Chief Fire Officer Luke Lushaba who ordered officers to ‘ignore’ their public duties and prepare for the Fire Day with an intention to impress King Mswati.