Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

THE SILENCE IS TOO LOUD - BENNET THE SILENCE IS TOO LOUD - BENNET

By Sibongile Sukati | 2022-06-24

Mbabane - Businessman Walter Bennett has blasted the deafening silence of Cabinet, Emabandla and Parliament over the continued arson attacks targeted at Inyatsi Construction, which have cost up to E65 million to date.

“Why is Cabinet, emabandla, Business Eswatini, among others, not saying anything to address this issue, especially as a means to maintain the jobs of those employed by Inyatsi,” he said.
Speaking during a press briefing yesterday at his BuzzyBy Services offices at Dlanubeka Building, the former senator also took a swipe at Parliament, who he accused of not playing its oversight role, which was one of the reasons why Inyatsi Construction is finding itself in this predicament.

He said no one was addressing the issue above board, but the word on the street was simply that “Inyatsi itsatsa konkhe” (Inyatsi gets a bulk share of tenders).

“Cabinet, an independent arm of government is dead quiet,” said Bennett.
He said he had been ill for some time, but if his memory served him well there was no strong statement issued by government regarding Inyatsi.

Bennett said recently, Inyatsi had celebrated 40 years of existence in the country and government was all over the place during those celebrations.

“Now that this has happened to them, they have been left alone,” he said.
He asked if government had released a statement calling for calm and to remind the nation that even those with differences in opinions should not resort to violence, but remind the nation or other business people that there is a rule of law and that all were equal when it comes to economic opportunity.

“Does this mean that government is not seeing what is happening or they are highly conflicted because there are those in Cabinet who are, or at least I know of one,” alleged Bennett.

He said, however, this was not the case and instead they were as quiet as a church mouse.
“They must condemn these and remind all involved on the rules of engagement because as Emaswati we dialogue, which are the rules of a civilised society,” he said.

Bennett said government in particular the ministries of commerce industry and trade, finance and economic planning and development should have said something on the issue.

“I want to ask even our finance minister to sympathise with them because sebalimelelwe. It depresses me when I see this arson thing continuing in the country.”

He further alleged that some members of Emabandla even worked with Inyatsi Construction as they were subcontracted to them in using their trucks or tractors to deliver sand or water, which was amazing why they were all quiet.

share story