Lobamba- Members of Parliament have demanded answers on the recently arrived convicts who were deported from the United States of America to serve their sentences in Eswatini.
The five convicts from countries such as Cuba landed at King Mswati III international airport yesterday and are expected to serve the remainder of their sentences here or their home countries should their native lands allow them back.
The move has caused great panic among Emaswati resulting in the government issuing a statement last night allaying fears and assuring Emaswati of their safety.
Despite this assurance, MPs demanded answers from the Deputy Prime Minister, Thuli Dladla, this morning. Dladla had attended a sitting in the Portfolio Committee of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for a debate on her Ministry’s First Quarter Performance.
“Hon. DPM, the statement issued by the acting Government Spokesperson was not enough and it was also too shallow. The magnitude of this matter demands that those at the helm of government explain to Emaswati how such a decision was reached,” said Deputy Speaker, Madala Mhlanga.
Mhlanga also highlighted that there is still a lot of panic among Emaswati, therefore, there is a need for an in-depth explanation on the matter.
Also joining the debate were Mafutseni MP, Sabelo Mthethwa & the DPM Committee’s Chairman, Gcina Magagula, who warned against taking the matter lightly.
In response, the DPM requested Members to direct their questions to the Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini in his capacity as head of Government.
Dlamini is scheduled to appear in Parliament on Monday 21 July 2025 at 10am.
Dladla also clarified a picture that is circulating on social media where she is seen signing a document and the caption alleges that she was the one who signed the agreement allowing the US convicts to be deported to Eswatini.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. That picture was taken in 2019 in Taiwan when I was still Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Affairs. What had happened was that there were some Taiwanese nationals who had been convicted in Eswatini and had wanted to be repatriated so that they could serve their jail sentences back home in Taiwan. However, Eswatini and Taiwan did not have an agreement at the time which allowed this procedure. So, the picture was taken when Eswatini and Taiwan had agreed that such an instrument should be in existence. This way, even if a Liswati can be convicted in Taiwan, he can now serve the rest of his sentence in Eswatini,” she said.
Dladla said the photo was being misused by individuals with personal grudges.
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