By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Wandile Dludlu, the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) has called upon government to start the distribution of food, water and shelter in the midst of the lockdown and further use members of the security forces as COVID-19 volunteers.

Speaking to this Swaziland News, the Secretary General said government should also engage in a massive COVID-19 civil education, community consultations and further gather information about people’s practical challenges.

“PUDEMO expectations are that a caring government should in dire times like this should provide food, water and shelter to the most vulnerable sections of the population. Government should engage in massive COVID-19 civic education and community consultation house to house, giving assurance to people as well as collecting data about people practical challenges.Instead of unleashing armed forces on people, at least assign these police, soldiers, warders and volunteers to lead a house to house engagement with communities, these organs must serve people than kick people like dogs as they have been doing” said the PUDEMO Secretary General.

The PUDEMO boss said government should further engage the private sector, particularly financial sector to wave for 6 months their rights to get instalments from all bonds and any form of loans people may have.

“Government should engage the private sector particularly the financial sector to wave for 6 months their rights to get instalments from all bonds and any form of loans people may have. Engage small and big businesses with a package to subsidies them during this period to avoid retrenchments and job losses.Entirely change media narrative particularly TV and Radio to put programs that will educate, entertain and positively pre occupy the Nation during this very delicate period” he said.