By Zweli Martin Dlamini

It was in 2016 and exactly ten (10) years ago when the then Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini invited journalists for a press conference at the Cabinet Offices-Mbabane, the PM had commissioned an investigation into the shortage of drugs in public hospitals led by retired Ministry of Information Principal Secretary (ICT), the late Sikelela Dlamini.

As journalists we arrived at the Cabinet Offices and enjoyed delicious food, took pictures with the Prime Minister after he launched what he subsequently named as the “Prince Sikelela Report”.

The health crisis has been going on for years, dozens have died since it erupted while SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff who stands accused of looting billions of public funds, walks free in this country.

I am bringing this to the attention of the Nation so that, emaSwati can understand that the recent announcement of Committees by Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula means literally nothing in the absence of resources seeking to address the ongoing crisis.

The current Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini’s administration has been appointing Cabinet Committees and this week, Cabinet through the Health Minister announced other Committees but the question is; where is the money to purchase drugs in public hospitals because the crisis must be addressed by allocating a significant budget?.

But as I conclude let me warn emaSwati about the Tinkhundla undemocratic regime, “they will give you hope with the appointment of these Committees” until you die amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, there’s absolutely no political will to address the health crisis.

As mentioned in the opening paragraph of this article, some of us have been in the media for years and we have been reporting about the health crisis, Prime Ministers, Ministers and Government officials come and go and the situation has been deteriorating.

The Tinkhundla undemocratic regime is guilty of killing innocent emaSwati by failing to protect the constitutional right to life.