By Sizwe Dlamini
The Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Eswatini Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to combat the abuse of public funds.
The signing took place at the ESPPRA offices in Mbabane on Wednesday morning.
Speaking during the signing, Vusi Matsebula, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ESPPRA, emphasized that the MoU demonstrates a commitment to ensuring integrity and transparency in public procurement in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our shared commitment. We gather here not only to sign a MoU but to also reaffirm our dedication to combating corruption in all its forms within our nation’s procurement processes,” he said.
Matsebula highlighted the key areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU, which include information sharing, joint training programs, and coordinated efforts to prevent corruption.
“By exchanging intelligence and best practices, we will enhance our capabilities, bolster our enforcement actions, and foster a culture of integrity within the public procurement landscape,” he added.
He emphasized that combating corruption requires a multi-faceted approach, saying, “The fight against corruption is not solely the responsibility of one entity; it is a collective obligation that calls upon each of us to contribute our strengths and resources. Together, we will develop and implement effective strategies that will help prevent, detect, and respond to corrupt practices in a timely and efficient manner. As we sign this MoU today, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. We commit to safeguarding our procurement processes against corruption, ensuring that every public Lilangeni is spent wisely and fairly for the benefit of all Eswatini citizens.”
Speaking on behalf of the Eswatini ACC, Acting Commissioner, Maphevu Mkhatshwa, noted that the MoU will enable enhanced collaboration, information sharing, resource leveraging, capacity building, and public awareness initiatives.
“This MoU paves the way for policy development to address vulnerabilities in the procurement process and establish frameworks for effective monitoring and evaluation of anti-corruption initiatives. This momentous occasion symbolizes a significant step in our joint commitment to combating corruption and upholding the values of transparency, integrity, and accountability, which we share with ESPPRA,” he stated.
Mkhatshwa emphasized the importance of collaboration in curbing corruption, particularly in the procurement sector.
“While we investigate and seek preventive measures, procurement remains a major area of concern. Our commitment to integrity is unwavering, as we recognize that effective governance requires not only strong regulations but also the will to enforce them. By working together, we send a clear message that corruption has no place in our society,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders, including the media, to contribute to a culture of zero tolerance for corruption.
“Together, we can create a procurement environment that is transparent, accountable, and free from corruption,” Mkhatshwa concluded.
Mkhatshwa added that the signing of the MoU was also significant because corruption often begins at the tendering process when the initial proposals are being made by companies, hence it is beneficial to identify it at an early stage because once the money has left the treasury it becomes harder to trace.