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HIS MAJESTY DECLARES NATIONAL EMERGENCY

By SIFISO DLAMINI | 2020-03-18

HIS Majesty King Mswati III in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic yesterday declared a national emergency to curb its spread.

As a result of the national emergency, the King has cancelled his 52nd birthday celebrations which were to be held in the Shiselweni region next month.

Yesterday the King made the announcement through a press conference convened by Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini who was accompanied by Cabinet ministers, King’s Office executives, Army Commander Jeffrey Shabalala and his delegation, Bishop Samson Hlatshwayo and senior government officials.

The press conference was held at Cabinet offices in Mbabane.

Dlamini said he has been commanded by His Majesty King Mswati III and Ingwenyama to invoke Section 29 of the Disaster Management Act 2006, having assessed the magnitude and severity of the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic confirmed world over, to declare a national emergency in the Kingdom of Eswatini with immediate effect for a period not exceeding two months.

He said as a result of this declaration, His Majesty has further commanded government and Parliament to ensure that sufficient funds were made available specifically for the fight against COVID-19.

The King ordered government to divert the birthday budget towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic which is already unsettling many countries of the world. The King further announced the immediate closure of schools, universities and colleges.

As a result of the national emergency, the PM said His Majesty has also announced the suspension of Good Friday and Easter Services and the immediate Army Day which was to be held on Friday.

“With the entire human race under threat, His Majesty the King has ensured Eswatini adopts precautionary measures with the possibility of an outbreak of the fast emerging virus COVID-19 looming,” the King said.

Members of the public have been at odds as they eagerly waited for an official statement from the country’s authorities regarding a way forward following confirmation of the first positive case of the virus in the kingdom.

While delivering the King’s message, the PM said the Kingdom of Eswatini, like the rest of the world, was confronted by a stubborn pandemic that threatened the health and wellbeing of the nation as it relentlessly spread across the globe at an alarming rate.

“While Eswatini has one confirmed COVID-19 case at this moment, we are seized with the responsibility to protect our citizens from a scourge which knows no boundaries and continues to unfold in an unprecedented manner and speed,” he said.

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