By Mduduzi Hlophe

MBABANE: Political parties are of the view that government must stop requesting for donations from the United Nations (UN) if it will fail to account for the funds.

When reached for comment by this Swaziland News, Wandile Dludlu the Secretary General of the People's United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) expressed concerns on the matter and challenged government to provide evidence suggesting that the E24billion announced by Finance Minister Neal Rijkernberg  was used to fight COVID-19.

"Government must bring evidence that indeed the E 24 billion budget that was announced by the Minister of Finance has been exhausted in the fight against COVID 19. We only hear about donations of over 400 million from companies and organisations but not even a penny from government. We only hear about E17 million that was given to the King, this shows us that government has enough money, it’s just that we are now accustomed to surviving on donations" he said.

Dludlu warned that the UN has agencies like the Red Cross that assist countries that have been severely hit by pandemics, natural disasters and wars. Our country has not been severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic and nothing warrants us to seek help from the UN. There are countries that really need assistance, government just wants to abuse the UN funds .They are likely to use the funds in financing the King's opulent lifestyle.

"The King cannot be questioned on his reckless spending, he is always right. However, in a multiparty democracy, a government that is in power can be held accountable for its actions. Swazis need to liberate themselves from this oppressive regime\" said the PUDEMO Secretary General.

Sibongile Mazibuko, the President for Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) when reached for comment by this publication said there is no need to ask for more donations from the UN since the donations that we have received in recent weeks are enough to fight the pandemic.

"Government must account to the Nation first before going to the UN. We have seen donations from the USA, Taiwan and the European Union. We are also paying taxes, where is all this money going? The donations when combined with the National budget are more than enough to fight the pandemic. If our government is still expecting donations from the UN, it means this system of government has failed us. Multiparty democracy is the answer, where a government is held accountable for its spending" said the NNLC president.

The Swaziland Democratic Party\'s President (SWADEPA) Jan Sithole, wondered how such a small country that is rich in mineral resources could live on donations.

"We are small country that is blessed with minerals like diamond, gold and coal. All these resources are enough to sustain a population of 1.3 million. One can only wonder, how is this country so poor with so much resources at its disposal? The only problem here is the poor distribution of resources, there is too much greed and corruption in this country. Even donations are not accounted for, Multiparty democracy is indeed the answer" he said.