Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg became emotional when vigorously grilled by appointed Senator Princess Ncengencenge this week regarding the delay in the payment of Government suppliers which she said, also contributes to the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.
Well, SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff and other main Government suppliers have been complaining about the delay in the processing of their invoices and we cannot therefore, dismiss the assertion suggesting that, the Minister of Finance, directly or indirectly, is complicit to the shortage of drugs.
SwaziPharm Kareem Ashraff is an alleged corrupt thief but, this thief has been crying saying “Government is owing me a lot of money” and we cannot therefore say, Government must not pay or delay to pay genuine invoices because by doing, the supply of drugs will be affected.
The businessman must be held accountable for allegedly stealing billions of public funds within the Ministry of Health but, his genuine invoices must be paid because two(2) wrongs don’t make a right, we are not ignoring Ashraff complaints against Government because accountability in public administration is never personal but must be objectively based on facts.
Now, Senator Princess Ncengencenge is touching on a very critical issue, the delay in the payment of Government suppliers has destroyed many businesses owned by emaSwati, some businesspeople who were successful suffered stroke and died while some, are financially broke and living in poverty because of Government.
Perhaps others might wonder how the delay in the payment of Government suppliers affected local businesses; almost all businesses secured loans with the various banks and have a legal obligation to pay tax and own suppliers.
The delay in the payment of Government suppliers to resulted to other businesspeople facing penalties with the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) with banks and the very same Government through ERS, attaching their properties.
Princess Ncengencenge is speaking about the death of emaSwati in public hospitals amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals and, I would like to personally thank her for remembering those who can’t speak for themselves within the various hospitals.
Indeed, it is my believe and understanding that, whenever we face a crisis as a country, regardless of our political differences, we must collectively work towards addressing it because whether you are a supporter of the current Tinkhundla or progressive, the health crisis impacts everyone and/or, the entire Nation.
The Finance Minister was therefore, wrong to be evasive trying to hide behind procurement policies when responding to Princess Ncengencenge and it should be noted that, by saying “the Finance Minister has blood on his hands by failing to ensure the payment of Government suppliers timely resulting to the shortage of drugs in public hospitals, the Senator was speaking politics and was not meaning Neal Rijikernberg literally killed emaSwati”.
The Princess was saying, through his conduct and failure to perform his public duties, the Finance Minister is complicit, it’s was actually a vicarious liability statement seeking to demand accountability on an issue of viral public interest.
Vicarious responsibility and/or vicarious liability is a legal principle where one party(like an employer) is held responsible for the actions of another party(like an employee) who committed a wrongful act while acting within the scope of their employment.
In this regard, even if it was officers within the Ministry who delayed the payments for whatever reason, the Finance Minister cannot evade accountability in terms of the vicarious liability principle.
In light of the aforementioned, let me urge the Finance Minister to listen to Senator Princess Ncengencenge’s Parliament submissions again and this time, with an intention to fully understand not to be defensive because in this country, we have a serious problem of individuals who are resistant to the truth or, who want to be addressed in a certain polite way.
But there’s no romance in politics particularly in the midst of a crisis like the health crisis amid the death of hundreds of emaSwati.
The Finance Minister must know that, emaSwati are dying as some suffered stroke after their businesses collapsed as a result of Government failure to pay suppliers.
It would be very unfortunate if as a country, we are thrilled to see other fellow emaSwati suffering, even those who tried to establish businesses and create employment for others and then, pretend as if everything is normal.
It’s a crisis on its own to see King Mswati touring businesses but, very few are owned by emaSwati.
Therefore, as we address the health crisis, let us remember that we have another crisis caused by Government, businesses owned by emaSwati are struggling in this country amid delay in the payment of suppliers.
Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg.