MANZINI:Zodwa ‘Mkhathazi’ Mkhonta, the former Deputy President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) came hard on the Eswatini Electricity Company(EEC) for applying for an electricity increase before the ESERA amid high taxes imposed to the consumers.
ESERA stands for Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority, a State entity tasked with regulating the costs of electricity among others, ESERA is currently conducting public hearings or consultations after the Electricity Company applied for another electricity increase.
Speaking at the George Hotel on Friday, the PUDEMO leader wondered why EEC consistently applied for an electricity increase when consumers are heavily taxed in the country.
“You are speaking about projects worth billions seeking to generate electricity, that idea has been there for years but nothing has materialized. What is more concerning is that, even if you can collect the money by providing the expensive electricity,you won’t reduce the costs on us once you complete those Power Generating Projects. Go to the Prime Minister and demand the billions, we are paying tax and those taxes must be used to subsidize the electricity and establish the Power Generating Projects”, she said.
On another note, former Hosea Indvuna YeNkhundla Richard Vilane urged the Electricity Company to consider collecting taxes from King Mswati and/or Royal Residences.
“We know that Royal Residences are not paying for electricity, we can’t have an individual who is owning many businesses in the country but exempted from paying tax. Furthermore, why are you wasting money on luxious vehicles?”, said the former Hosea Indvuna YeNkhundla.
The proposed electricity increase is being vigorously opposed by members of the public including Parliament.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini also shared his opinion on the subject matter, saying most emaSwati “are poor and therefore” cannot afford another electricity increase.
King Mswati and Inkhosikati LaMashwama(pic: X).