By Nkhosinathi Manyika
The Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating corruption in Eswatini, highlighting its pervasive impact on public service.
Rijkenberg noted that corruption has far-reaching consequences, diverting funds from the public purse—money that should be utilized for essential services and infrastructure and undermining the government’s ability to serve its citizens effectively.
The Minister highlighted that corruption is not confined to one area but a problem that exists everywhere.
In a pivotal address in the weekly Finance in Focus financial update, the Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to tackling corruption, a pervasive issue that affects every country, including Eswatini, underscoring that while some nations may face more significant challenges, corruption impacts us all, and understanding its implications is essential.
He stated that the government of Eswatini has implemented several key measures to combat these challenges, which include the government shifting from measurable sole-source contracts to open lumpsum tendering contracts for major public works, which has already had a significant impact on reducing cost escalations and overruns in projects.
Additionally, the closure of certain trading accounts has helped eliminate avenues for corrupt practices that previously inflated costs.
The Minister added that the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) aims to improve transparency in procurement processes and it introduced a pricing catalogue to ensure fair pricing and prevent overcharging.
He lauded the Prime Minister for taking a firm stance against corruption, urging all government entities to fight against this issue with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) becoming more proactive in its efforts to investigate and address corruption cases.
The Minister acknowledged that despite perceptions that corruption is worsening—often fueled by media coverage and discussions in Parliament—significant progress is being made. Increased transparency and aggressive action against corruption signal a positive shift towards addressing this issue.
To further enhance accountability, the government is installing an Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and transitioning to electronic document management. These initiatives aim to bring more processes into the light, making it increasingly difficult for corruption to persist.
The Minister, however, stressed that the fight against corruption cannot be won by the government alone, it requires active participation from the media and citizens. He appealed to all Emaswati to assist in identifying and reporting corrupt practices wherever they occur, with social media and mobile phones at our disposal, citizens can document evidence of corruption and share it with authorities.