Swazis commit funds to 'unsafe' Matsapha

James Hall AFTER INITIALLY denying safety and other problems at Swaziland's only passenger and freight air facility, Matsapha International Airport, the transportation ministry has admitted it has known for years of equipment failures. Budgetary constraints have delayed rehabilitation of the airport, the ministry says. "We have now committed R31 million in emergency funds to fix what needs to be fixed," said Evart Madlopha, principal secretary at transport. He said R4 million would be spent to repair radar equipment destroyed by lightning six months ago. Madlopha said tenders had been issued to upgrade substandard landing strip lights. Some pilots using the airport say they are unable to communicate with the control tower, and have to fly through Swaziland using landmarks and relying on memory. The pilot who recently flew the Queen Mother into Matsapha airport told reporters afterward he was glad he did not have to do so at night, or in bad weather. "Flying in rain or fog is very hazardous," he said. The transport ministry would not give an estimate of when the airport rehabilitation would be completed. Meanwhile, the Times of Swaziland reports that while the ministry may be accepting tenders to do the work, the treasury has no money to pay for it.