BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOBAMBA – Improving service delivery must become an everyday priority for the Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Services, Principal Secretary in Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Simon Zwane told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday as lawmakers scrutinised the ministry’s operations and expenditure.
Appearing before the committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga on June 25, 2026, Zwane acknowledged concerns raised by MPs and assured them that efforts were underway to strengthen emergency response services across the country.
PAC Member Mzwandile Mamba questioned whether challenges affecting emergency response times still persisted despite government spending millions on vehicle and machinery maintenance. Referring to the Tesco fire in Matsapha, Mamba said the fire station was located near the scene, yet firefighters were reportedly not swift in responding to the incident.
“If it took them so many hours to arrive, is it still a problem of vehicles?” Mamba asked, noting that government allocates significant resources towards fleet maintenance to support service delivery.
Responding to the concern, Zwane welcomed the committee’s observations and agreed that service delivery must continuously improve.
“The Honourable Member is on point. Service delivery improvement should be something for every day,” he said, adding that the Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Services would work to further strengthen its response capabilities.
The discussion arose from findings in the Auditor General’s report, which revealed that E2.97 million was spent on motor vehicle repairs and maintenance of machinery. Zwane explained that much of the expenditure was linked to the Mobile Unit based at Mhobondlweni, which provides infrastructure development and maintenance services, particularly in developing towns.
He said the unit operates specialised vehicles and machinery that require regular maintenance to remain operational and support government service delivery programmes.
Zwane, however, noted that recent incidents had demonstrated the commitment of firefighters, citing a fire at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade where officers responded promptly and prevented more extensive damage.
The committee also examined an audit query relating to a Executive Chair valued at E10 450, which auditors had initially failed to locate. Zwane informed the committee that the matter had been rectified and the chair was available, a position later confirmed by the Auditor General’s Office.
The PAC emphasised that beyond accounting for expenditure, the ultimate measure of success would be the quality and speed of services delivered to emaSwati. With millions invested in maintaining vehicles and equipment, committee members stressed that communities expect a fire and emergency service that is fully operational, responsive and capable of protecting lives and property whenever disaster strikes.
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