GOVERNMENT DISMISSES CLAIMS OF DRUG SHORTAGES AS “POLITICAL STUNT” AMID CRITICISM

The Eswatini government has responded to allegations of ongoing drug shortages in public hospitals, dismissing them as politically motivated claims. Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo accused critics, including Lucky Dlamini, Chairperson of the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF), of politicizing the issue and using it as a “political rallying point.”

“The drug shortage situation in the country has somehow become a political rallying point for them. It will really take them time to realize that the drug situation has been normalized in the country. Anyway, government is not answerable to illegitimate political formations whose political initiative and energy has already been worn out by the recent resounding elections in the country,” Nxumalo said in a statement to Swaziland News.

Nxumalo’s remarks come after Dlamini criticized the government for its handling of the crisis, accusing Nxumalo of engaging in a public relations stunt by claiming progress had been made. Dlamini described the spokesperson as a “pathetic liar,” pointing out that public hospitals continue to suffer from critical shortages of essential medicines.

“This country has been sustained by lies,” Dlamini said. “The Government Spokesperson is playing a Public Relations stunt. There are still no drugs in public hospitals. The Government is even failing to release the drugs investigation report to the public.”

The back-and-forth underscores the deepening mistrust between the government and pro-democracy groups like the SUDF, which argue that the health crisis reflects broader governance failures under the Tinkhundla system. Critics claim that corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability have exacerbated the situation, leaving vulnerable citizens without access to essential healthcare services.

Nxumalo, however, maintained that healthcare was not a “political playground” and criticized opposition groups for allegedly ignoring the progress made by the government. “They are all in political coma; hence they don’t see anything, not even what Stevie Wonder can see from far,” he said.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions as Eswatini grapples with a failing healthcare system and increasing demands for transparency. Public hospitals remain underfunded, and allegations of corruption in drug procurement continue to fuel calls for reform. Whether the government’s assurances will translate into tangible improvements for ordinary citizens remains to be seen.