Members of Parliament in Eswatini have expressed concern over the country's growing unemployment crisis. They revealed that they are receiving numerous calls from young people seeking assistance to secure jobs in the ongoing Royal Eswatini Police Service recruitment exercise. The MPs made these remarks during the debate on the ministry of public service's second quarter performance report in the House of Assembly.
Sigwe MP David 'Cruiser' Ngcamphalala stated that unemployment has become a serious concern in every constituency, with young people constantly approaching MPs for help to find employment. He cited the ministry of public works, which reportedly has about 422 vacant posts, questioning why the government had not filled these positions while thousands of Emaswati remained unemployed.
Lubombo Regional MP Futhi Ngcamphalala also raised concern over the overwhelming number of locals seeking employment through the police recruitment exercise. She noted that some aspirants started arriving as early as 3 am to submit their applications. Thousands of people were turning up daily, including applicants holding degrees and PhDs, showing how serious the shortage of employment opportunities had become.
The long queues of young people at police headquarters seeking employment in the ongoing recruitment exercise have shocked MPs. Ludzeludze MP Nomkhosi Masuku said she was shocked by the large number of young people seeking employment when she passed through Manzini. This situation is not only in Manzini but at all the headquarters.
Legislators have questioned how many positions are actually available for recruitment, saying citizens deserve to know the number of people the government intends to employ. Manzini Regional MP Thandeka Mavuso and Kumethula MP Jabulani Simelane also expressed concern over the long queues, suggesting that the exercise should have been conducted at tinkhundla level through the various station commanders to avoid overcrowding at police headquarters.
HHOHHO Regional MP Tanele Magagula stated that some qualified teachers are applying for police jobs because they have spent many years without finding employment. These graduates have been left with limited choices as they struggle to find jobs in the profession they trained for. The situation shows the growing challenge of unemployment among graduates in the country.
Today marks the final day for submitting applications for the police recruitment exercise. The ongoing recruitment process has brought to the fore the pressing issue of unemployment in Eswatini, with thousands of young people seeking employment opportunities.
Key points
- MPs in Eswatini are overwhelmed with job pleas from young people seeking help with police recruitment.
- The country's unemployment crisis worsens, with thousands of graduates and qualified teachers seeking police jobs.
- Eswatini's government is urged to develop clear plans to address unemployment and fill vacant positions in ministries.
