Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Prime Minister, Cleopas Dlamini, yesterday announced that the late Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Peter Bhembe will be accorded a state funeral. Bhembe, who has been affectionately described as a visionary leader and a father-figure, will have the state funeral in his honour at Elangeni high school on Sunday.
“His Majesty’s government notifies the nation that the funeral of the late Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Senator Peter Bhembe will be on Sunday at Elangeni High School,” stated the premier yesterday, before confirming that the minister would be accorded a state funeral. This will be in accordance with Finance Circular No.2 of 2013.
The circular states that a state funeral will be arranged and funded by government and held to honour prominent parliamentarians who have given long and outstanding service to the Government of Eswatini.
It states that the following parliamentarians will be eligible for a state funeral; serving PM, serving DPM, serving cabinet ministers, former PMs, former DPMs and anyone the King sees fit.
Dlamini further announced that members of the public who may not be able to attend the funeral service may follow it and live updates on government’s social media platforms and other electronic media.
The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, who was among those tasked to work with the late minister’s family in making arrangements for the funeral, said the preparations were at an advanced stage and come Sunday they will be ready to give Bhembe a dignified send-off.
Bhembe passed away on Monday night at a South African health facility while undergoing specialised treatment. Before his appointment into Senate and later as the minister, Bhembe served as managing director at the Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC), a company he worked with for over 25 years.
Bhembe joins three other cabinet ministers, including the late Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, the late Minister of Labour and Social Security Makhosi Vilakati, and Minister of Public Service Christian Ntshangase, who died of COVID-19 related illnesses.
The late Bhembe is the sixth Parliamentarian, including the above mentioned ministers who were also MPs, who have passed away during the current term, with a total of four Senators and two MPs. The senators include Mike Temple, Chief Nzameya Nhlabatsi and Jimmy Hlophe.
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