Worried about the country’s dented image and the slump in the economy, the government of Swaziland has appointed a team of eminent persons to advise both King Mswati III and his government on economic and business issues.
The mandate for the team of 20, which includes New Africa Investment CEO Saki Macozoma, is to advise the king and government on political issues as well as on measures to encourage economic growth and curb poverty. About 69% of the country’s 1,2-million people currently live below the poverty line.
The establishment of the Business and Economic Advisory Panel (BEAP) was announced last week by Prime Minister Absalom Themba Dlamini and drew scathing criticism from the house of assembly.
Amid calls for his resignation and the dismantling of the BEAP, the prime minister said the establishment of the team of advisers selected from within and outside is for the good of the country. He insisted that BEAP was an executive initiative meant to work on restoring Swaziland’s image.
The house of assembly accused Dlamini of having failed in his duties as head of government and said that he had not consulted Parliament prior to the establishment of the team of advisers.
‘I was one of the people who rejoiced at the appointment of the current prime minister, but I am now losing hope; the prime minister is taking the whole country down with him. It is high time he throws in the towel,†said member of Parliament Vusi Dlamini.