Times Of Swaziland: ESWATINI NOT IMMUNE TO  STATE CAPTURE - S’THOFENI

ESWATINI NOT IMMUNE TO  STATE CAPTURE - S’THOFENI
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BY KWANELE DHLADHLA   on 14/09/2018 03:18:00


MBABANE – Is the much-talked about state capture in SA also existent in the
Kingdom of Eswatini?
African Alliance Partner S’thofeni Ginindza has hinted that it would be folly
to assume that state capture has been taking place only in neighbouring South
Africa.
He warned that Eswatini could also be faced with the same problem.
The reputable economist advised the country to undertake self introspection and
not look further from home so as to avoid being captured.
Ginindza strongly warned against state capture tendencies, noting that they
could greatly hinder development of the country from being a First World country
by 2022 as envisioned by His Majesty King Mswati III.
“Emaswati have a misconception that state capture has only been happening in
South Africa. Eswatini could also be facing the same problem,” hinted
Ginindza, during the re-launch of Ligcebesha Fund convened at Royal Swazi Spa
Gigi’s Restaurant on Wednesday evening.
Wikipedia defines state capture as a type of systemic political corruption in
which private interests significantly influence a state’s decision-making
processes to their own advantage.
The term ‘state capture’ was first used by the World Bank to describe the
situation in central Asian countries making the transition from Soviet
communism. Specifically, it was applied to situations where small corrupt groups
used their influence over government officials to appropriate government
decision making in order to strengthen their own economic positions; these
groups would later become known as oligarchs.
Allegations of state capture have led to protests against the government in
Bulgaria in 2013-2014 and Romania in 2017, and have caused an ongoing
controversy in South Africa beginning in 2016.
Providing examples on scenarios that make institutions and governments
vulnerable to capture, Ginindza said capturing was likely to happen when the
chief executive officer, board of directors or government were about to leave
office.
He said senior executives and government leaders who were about to vacate office
tended to be vulnerable to corruption because they either wanted to safeguard
re-appointment or accumulate enough funds and resources to sustain their
livelihood.
However, Ginindza clarified that this was not to suggest that the government
whose term of office recently came to an end or company executives who have left
office recently were captured. “Corruption is the biggest threat to
development, not only in Eswatini but the rest of Africa and the world. If we
were to monetise the benefits accrued from corrupt activities, it would run into
millions,” said Ginindza.
Further, Ginindza also advised the nation to mutate the country into a First
World country, there needs to be a change of mindset among the populace. He said
for as long as the people of Eswatini do not embrace innovation, it would be
challenging to attain the vision.
“The biggest factor which will propel the country into First World status is
how the people think and react, which will prompt massive development,” added
Ginindza.