Mbabane: Hopes for EmaSwati to return to South Africa for resuming work under level 3 lockdown remains futile as SA continues to shut borders for EmaSwati workers.
On May 26 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporations issued a statement in response to the outcry of EmaSwati who want to go back to South Africa for work and study purposes. The Ministry reveled that it has been engaging the South African counterparts on the matter but unfortunately they failed to reach common grounds with the SA government.
On the statement, the ministry is saying it has been engaging the South African government through department of International Relations and Cooperations (DIRCO) and on May 21 a feedback from South Africa was received and it still tasting sour as cross border travel restrictions remain in place even in level 3 lockdown.
On Sunday, May 24 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa will move to level 3 lockdown on June 1. Moving to level 3 will see a lot of businesses reopening for operations and schools opening for Matric and Grade 7 classes. Bearing in mind that most of EmaSwati were working for most of the businesses that will be opening on Monday, therefore if South Africa is restricting return of foreigners it will mean EmaSwati’s jobs are hanging in the balance.
The same applies to EmaSwati students studying in SA as they will also not be allowed to return back only except for Final year students studying medicine will be allowed to go back to SA.
Eswatini has also embarked on easing lockdown regulations to open the economy. This action have seen a number of businesses reopening for operations.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporations said will continue to engage the South African government is on the matter looking at the thousands of EmaSwati who might probably loose their jobs if the situation prevail.
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