LOBAMBA – Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Savannah Maziya says she will wait for the Prime Minister’s advice on who to appoint as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP).
The minister was responding to questions from Members of Parliament yesterday, who urged her to be courageous and reveal the challenges surrounding the CEO appointment, even if they extended to Cabinet level, to ensure accountability.
This was during a debate on a motion by Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo, who requested the minister to table her programme of action and outline how she planned to address the prevailing challenges at the RSTP.
Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
The motion further asked the minister to specify the areas of concern, challenges, and bottlenecks faced by the entity, and to indicate what kind of assistance or guidance she sought from the House.
Khumalo said the institution should be productive, lamenting that “nothing was happening” at the RSTP. He pointed out that the institution had been without a CEO for almost two years, accusing government of “playing with the lives and resources of the nation.”
“Men and women are afraid of each other, and this makes me question whether we have the right people in government,” Khumalo said. “The minister should not be afraid, she must tell us what’s happening there, because come February, it will be difficult for us to approve funding for the institution.”
He added that many people were being paid without performing their duties, and Parliament should hold everyone accountable.
Lubombo Regional MP Futhi Ngcamphalala described the issue as a matter of national concern, calling RSTP a “sleeping giant.” She said a candidate had already been approved for the CEO post and submitted to Cabinet, but no update had been provided.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini said the facility was supposed to generate millions for the country, as His Majesty mentioned when he officially opened it, suggesting that “sabotage” might be taking place.
“We need a change of mindset so that the institution can function properly,” Dlamini said. “There are issues like national IDs that should fall under RSTP but remain with Home Affairs, what’s happening when they meet to discuss such matters?”
Mhlambanyatsi MP Dr Bonginkhosi Dlamini noted that ego was destroying the country, while Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba urged the entire Cabinet to take responsibility.
“We are not just talking to the ICT Minister; this is about the whole Cabinet,” Lushaba said. “The buildings are beautiful, but there is no productivity. I hope the forensic report exists, but I suspect someone is withholding it, just like what happened with the School of IT.”
Minister Maziya responded that she preferred to stick to facts, stating that her mandate was to modernise the country and strengthen digital connectivity.
“We have worked with MTN to track cattle, launched Government in Your Hand, and pushed for digital transformation across government,” she said. “It was wise and forward-thinking of His Majesty to establish the RSTP, which remains ahead of what many others have done.”
She added that she could not guarantee a response within 14 days but would wait for the Prime Minister’s advice before proceeding with the RSTP CEO appointment.
In closing, MP Khumalo expressed concern that Maziya’s comments suggested a lack of coordination within Cabinet.
“If the minister has done all she can and is now waiting for the PM’s directive, then something is wrong,” he said. “The minister has a mandate to follow due process and then report to Cabinet. Parliament must now intervene.”
