E2BN FOR SECURITY FORCES

LOBAMBA – The budget for the three national security forces put together for the 2015/16 financial year has reached the mark of E2 billion.

According to a Government Estimates document from April 2015 to March 2018, which was tabled during the budget speech in Parliament yesterday, much spending will go to personnel costs, vehicles and general services.
Last year’s recurrent budget for the forces altogether stood at around E1.9 billion. 

Like in previous years, the army got the lion’s share of E912 million from E828 million, the Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) was allotted E780 million from E725m, and then His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) E365 million from E356 million.

Some of the projects lined up for the Ministry of Defence (Army) included replacement of army barracks, rehabilitation of Mbuluzi Water Cana and Water Treatment Plant and fencing of Mdzimba Farm.
At one of Parliament sittings last year, Minister of National Defence and Security Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze justified the high spending on the Army to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of the same ministry.
He said his ministry needed the money for the improvement of the military staff in carrying out its mandate of defending and protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the Kingdom.

“We may also be called upon to contribute in some peacekeeping missions in other countries. We are not living in isolation as a country. In some countries, the defence budget is a no go area, but in Swaziland it’s open because the nation is told why the money is needed,” he was quoted. 

It is estimated that by the financial year of 2017/18, government spending on the army will be a little over E1 billion.
Meanwhile, projects lined  up for the Royal Swaziland Police include upgrading and decentralisation of ‘999’ emergency response system at the tune of E5.5 million, construction of Buhleni Police Station and e-policing systems phase II.
Some of the lined up projects for the Correctional Services include Correctional staff housing, minor improvements to prison facilities at a cost of E3.5 million.
Another amount of E5 millon will be spent on the rehabilitation of Big Bend Correctional institution, houses, dormitories and four flats.

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