Following yesterday’s statement from government on the five migrants that were deported by the United States of America into the country on Tuesday, members of parliament (MPs) have asked cabinet to explain and clarify the issue as it is sensitive.
The statement according to the MPs was not supposed to be issued by the acting government spokesperson.
The MPs voiced their views on the trending issue yesterday during the deputy prime minister’s office’s first quarter performance debate.
They said the issue was supposed to be addressed by the country’s leaders, not the acting government spokesperson. The legislators added that the nation was also not supposed to learn about the issue through social media.
Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba said the nation was supposed to be informed before the deportation of the migrants because learning about such things on the day and through the media, could be more damaging.
“What happened yesterday was not supposed to happen, DPM. We cannot just wake up to such issues, and we would like the Cabinet to give us updates on such issues,” he said.
Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga said following what happened, the country’s leadership needed to address the issue as even children were asking about it.
Related: Deported migrants pose no threat to Eswatini citizens – US
He said they were not even sure that the number of migrants that arrived was the five that were mentioned, or if these were the only ones that were identified by the media.
He said the country might be complaining, while more were still coming. “Yesterday’s statement was not supposed to be made by the spokesperson, but the country’s leadership. They should be the ones telling Emaswati what is happening and how we arrived in this situation,” he said.
Mhlanga added that they were aware of the relationship between the United States f America and the neighbours of the country, with whom they interact daily.
He claimed that the country faced challenges at SACU because some people wanted Eswatini excluded from the organisation. Mhlanga asked that the leadership of the country address the issue.
“As Members of Parliament, we deserve to know and get clarity on the issue and how it will benefit the nation,” he said.
In response, the Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla said the issue of the convicts was above her. She said she was hoping the PM would come to parliament and explain.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader
