FOLLOWING His Majesty King Mswati III’s directive on electricity, Members of Parliament (MPs) say they do not expect any electricity hikes.
The MPs said the king’s directive was clear and people-centred. They stated that His Majesty was for the people on the issue of electricity hikes, emphasising that government must work with the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) to find solutions to the company’s financial difficulties while addressing immediate challenges arising from higher import prices.
They said the king stressed that electricity should be affordable for everyone.
This comes two weeks after the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) approved an average tariff increase of 13.61% for the 2026/2027 financial year, effective April 1. This was below the 20.67% hike that had been sought by EEC.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini had moved that a humble address be presented to His Majesty King Mswati III, thanking him for the speech delivered during the official opening of the Third Session of the 12th Parliament on Friday.
Legislators, while appreciating the Speech from the Throne during their first sitting yesterday, stated that they did not expect any electricity hikes.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini said the Speech from the Throne exuded love for the nation.
He said everything the king said was influenced by his love for the people, adding that it reflected Agape love. Dlamini said the king placed the people first and touched on energy security.
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“The king’s speech says the public should have access to reliable and affordable energy. This means that the nation must be able to afford electricity. His Majesty further added that the financial challenges faced by EEC should be addressed by government and the company. There is nowhere in the speech where the king involved the regulator, ESERA, which means the king was saying there should not be any electricity increase,” he said.
Dlamini stated that in submissions made to the regulator, the nation had indicated that if there was an increment, electricity would not be affordable.
“We will be letting the king down if we allow the hike,” he said.
Mtsambama MP Sibongile Mamba said when the king spoke about Agape love, he demonstrated his love for the nation. She said the electorate had already asked them to raise the issue of hikes in Parliament.
“People were against the 7% increase this financial year and the 13.61% approved hike is not acceptable. We are happy that the king said there should be discussions around this and we hope there will be no hikes since the effective date is still approaching,” she said.
Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtetwa stated that the king said things should happen now, including addressing drug shortages in hospitals. He urged Cabinet to work on local electricity production to reduce dependence on neighbouring countries that increase prices.
“We should do things now so that the country progresses. The king said he wants to see people earning better salaries and this should happen immediately. Action must be taken now,” he said.
MP Chief Prince Mshengu said the king’s speech was like a lamp guiding those who serve the nation. He said progress would require proper positioning and implementation of directives.
“If we follow the king’s direction, we can achieve a lot. All of us should apply Nkwe,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mbabane West MP Jane Mkhonta-Simelane said feeder roads should be paved as ordered by the king, noting their importance to tourism.
“The king also touched on energy. Emaswati should be able to afford essentials and important services. We are now looking forward to the completion of the ICC/FISH,” she said.
Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba said the king urged unity and love for one another, placing the country before personal interests. He also highlighted the king’s remarks on gender-based violence and the rehabilitation of 500km of roads.
“We hope government will implement all the directives. The issue of not arresting corrupt individuals still persists and we are looking forward to government’s plan to arrest bobhabuli,” he said.
