By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Jeremy Liang, the Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan is currently influencing the ongoing Tinkhundla undemocratic elections with rice, the politically motivated generosity seeks to influence voters to elect Members of Parliament(MPs) who are supporters of the absolute Monarchy.

The ongoing elections that undermine democratic principles by banning the participation of political parties were imposed by King Mswati, despite recommendations from the Southern African Development Community(SADC) calling for an all inclusive political dialogue to pave way for democratic elections.

The Ambassador avoided this journalist when questioned about the matter and other issues, he first responded on the issue of Mpakeni Dam and then referred this journalist to the government for further comments.

“Please contact the government of eSwatini”, said the Ambassador when reached by this Swaziland News.

Eswatini has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line, the World Food Programme(WFP), in its 2021 report, disclosed that over two hundred and thirty-four thousand (234 000) eMaswati who are urgently in need of food-aid, were supported by the United Nations(UN) agency through various programmes.

“WFP supported over 234,000 food insecure people through activities implemented to support shock-affected communities, smallholder farmers as well as people living with HIV in Eswatini.This fact-sheet outlines WFP’s key achievements in providing lifesaving assistance in Eswatini in 2021,” reads the WFP report in part, seen by this publication.

Labour Minister Phila Buthelezi, who recently survived an attack from his campaign cow, and former pro-Tinkhundla Kwaluseni MP Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini are some of the politicians who have benefitted from the Taiwan rice.

Reached for comments,Mlungisi Makhanya, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said as a movement, they can’t urge the people not to take the Taiwan rice because a majority of the citizens are hungry.

“What we can say to our people is that, let them not allow themselves to be used as voting fodders by Members of Parliament(MPs) who have demonstrated that, they don’t have their interest at heart but, want to exploit their levels of poverty. It will not help them to receive a pack of rice which is most likely to have expired in terms of shelve life, in exchange for brighter future for themselves and their children”, said the PUDEMO President.

Makhanya further urged emaSwati to alternatively take the Taiwan rice and eat, so that they can protest against regime with energy.