Lobamba – Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka failed to report to Parliament, leaving Speaker Jabulani Mabuza without an explanation for his absence as MPs were due to engage matters concerning alleged maize and sugar beans smuggling.
House of Assembly Speaker said he had not received any report from the minister explaining why he was not in Parliament. He said he had also tried to contact Hon. Mandla Tshawuka during the day but could not get hold of him.
“I did not get any report from him and I tried to call him during the day but did not get hold of him,” Mabuza said.
The Speaker said his understanding was that Tshawuka was in the country, but he could not say why the minister had not reported for parliamentary business.
The minister’s absence comes as MPs are seeking answers from the Ministry of Agriculture over allegations of maize and sugar beans being smuggled into the country, including concerns about the National Maize Corporation’s role in maize imports.
The motion, which was placed on the House of Assembly’s Order Paper, follows concerns raised by MPs on September 8, 2026, with Khumalo introducing the matter and Ngudzeni MP Charles Ndlovu seconding it.
MPs called for the minister to assess the situation, verify local production figures and address the alleged influx of agricultural commodities from neighbouring countries.
The concerns come amid recent interceptions of two truckloads of white maize from South Africa at the Ngwenya Border Gate within two weeks. One of the consignments was detained on August 10, 2026.
The consignments were reportedly not declared at the port of entry and the operators allegedly did not have valid import permits. Under the country’s cereal control regulations, the National Maize Corporation is the authorised importer of maize.
Meanwhile, Mabuza commended MPs for attending Parliament in large numbers and urged them to continue keeping time.
He reminded legislators that Parliament begins at 2:30 p.m., saying elected representatives should set an example for the nation.
“You have to be good examples as Hounarables elected by Emaswati,” Mabuza said.
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