By Mduduzi Hlophe

MBABANE: Thulani Rudolf Maseko, the Chairperson of the Institute for Democracy and Leadership(IDEAL) has questioned the source of the R500million pledged by King Mswati for the Reconstruction Programme at the time when the country is facing a health crisis. 

In a statement sent to this Swaziland News, the IDEAL Chairperson said the King showed disregard of the proper budgetary allocation processes in announcing the R500 million amid a health crisis adding that the money would be paid by the taxpayers.

“It is our view that this sum will be utilized by the King himself as the biggest businessman in the country”, reads the statement in part.

Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini had not responded to our questions at the time of compiling this report.

Mayibongwe Masangane the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) wondered where the money would come from since government claimed to be broke and was struggling with providing drugs in hospitals. 

“This shows that government prioritizes businesses over life,people have died from COVID-19 since the very same government is failing to provide drugs in hospitals.They have the guts to announce such a pledge in the midst of a health crisis.Then you wonder where this money will come from since government claims to be broke?” he said.