BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
LOBAMBA – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has explained his decision to continue living at his private residence in Matsapha instead of the official State House, saying the arrangement is saving Government from spending about E5 million on repairs to a building he believes is no longer economically viable.
The Prime Minister made the revelation in Senate while responding to questions from Senators during his presentation of the First Quarter Performance Report for the Private and Cabinet Office, covering the period April to June 2026.
Dlamini confirmed that he currently resides at his family homestead in Matsapha and assured Senators that his security had not been compromised by the arrangement.
“Yes, it is true that I am staying at Matsapha at the Dlamini homestead,” Dlamini told Senators.
He explained that when he assumed office, he was informed that approximately E5 million would be required to repair and renovate the State House.
For the Prime Minister, spending such an amount on the existing building would not represent value for money, particularly given its history of requiring major renovations after relatively short periods.
Dlamini said Government had traditionally spent substantial amounts renovating the State House after periods of about five years.
Instead of repeatedly spending millions maintaining an ageing structure, the Prime Minister suggested that Government should consider demolishing the existing residence and constructing a new one.
“The house needs to be demolished and rebuilt from scratch,” the Prime Minister said.
He used a hypothetical example to illustrate the financial reasoning behind his position.
Dlamini argued that if a new official residence could be constructed for about E5 million and remain serviceable for approximately 25 years before requiring major repairs, it could prove more economical than repeatedly spending similar or even greater amounts on renovations every few years.
The Prime Minister said his decision to remain in Matsapha was therefore informed by the need to avoid what he regarded as unnecessary expenditure of public funds while Government considers a more sustainable long-term solution for the State House.
He also sought to reassure Senators that the arrangement had not compromised his personal safety.
“I am safe in Matsapha,” Dlamini assured Senators, explaining that adequate security arrangements were in place at his residence.
The issue arose as the Prime Minister responded to a wide range of questions concerning the operations and performance of the Private and Cabinet Office.
At the beginning of the session, Dlamini thanked Senators for their engagement and acknowledged the wide-ranging responsibilities falling under his office.
His presentation covered Cabinet decision-making, policy coordination, Government communications, anti-corruption measures, human trafficking, HIV/AIDS programmes and other matters administered through the Prime Minister’s Office.
According to the report, Cabinet continued meeting during the first quarter despite operational challenges involving the e-Cabinet system.
Among the matters considered by Cabinet were the operationalisation of the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2025, the establishment of the National Disaster Risk Management Authority, approval for Eswatini to host the 26th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government, and the appointment of an independent job evaluation consultant to consider appeals arising from the Salary Review exercise.
Cabinet also considered public-sector remuneration, appointments to the Road Transportation Board and Road Transportation Appeals Board, the National Anti-Corruption Policy, National Payment Systems Regulations, 2026, emergency road maintenance financing, as well as reforms to environmental and climate governance.
The report further states that Cabinet approved the establishment of diplomatic relations with Uruguay and the new National Investment Policy.
The Prime Minister’s explanation regarding his residence comes against the broader backdrop of Government managing competing demands on limited public resources.
Dlamini has consistently emphasised prudent expenditure and the need to ensure that public funds are directed towards priorities capable of delivering sustainable, long-term value.
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