Eswatini MP challenges award of two radio licences
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Times of Eswatini
Eswatini MP Welcome Dlamini is seeking explanations over the allocation of two commercial radio licences, when only one was initially supposed to be issued. He questioned checks on the alleged beneficiaries’ political links during a parliamentary debate on the Information Ministry’s activities, reports the Times of Eswatini.
Welcome Dlamini, the MP for Mbabane East, has requested explanations about the allocation of two commercial radio licences in Eswatini. He particularly questioned the procedure for reviewing applications and whether political affiliations were taken into account, following allegations linking one of the beneficiary companies to people associated with progressive movements involved in the 2021 unrest, reports the Times of Eswatini.
Welcome Dlamini also noted that the initial announcement reportedly provided for only one licence to be awarded. He asked the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology why two authorisations had ultimately been issued and whether the applicants had undergone thorough vetting. The MP nevertheless welcomed the opening of the radio sector to new operators.
The questions were raised during a parliamentary committee’s review of the ministry’s second-quarter performance report. The MP did not name either the licence holder or the people to whom he was referring, and no allegations have been established against them.
