START FROM THE TOP MR PM

Comment

We welcome the big bold stance taken by the Prime Minister, Ambrose Dlamini, to declare war on corruption in this country. This, coming from a man who lives by Godly principles and is without blemish, gives us hope that he will remain true to his word.

For many though, these declarations come across as déjà vu, simply because for many years we have been fed with rhetoric to end corruption while a systematic paralysis of the Anti-Corruption Commission(ACC) took place behind the scenes. 

The courts have also rendered the work of the ACC effectively useless. This is not to say the ACC was marvellous in its attempts because it also fell short in dealing with the high profile ringleaders of state looting.

Therefore, we are a fed up lot.  All we care to see right now is decisive action that speaks much louder than words.  The PM could do well to earn our trust by first getting to the bottom of who authorised the construction of the residence of his predecessor, Barnabas Dlamini, without following laid down public tender procedures.

This project, which will cost the taxpayer in excess of E10 million, did not only bypass the tender process and violate the Swaziland Public Procurement Agency (SPPRA) regulations, but ended up in the hands of companies that are directly linked to the former PM and his family. The public deserves a full explanation on how such a blatant conflict of interest was also overlooked, especially when politicians are required by law to declare their assets to avoid such occurrences.

This case makes a mockery of the taxpayer who has to keep pumping large amounts of money into institutions like SPPRA, whose establishment was necessitated by the flagrant disregard for tender procedures and the looting of state resources. The PM should not try to act tough by starting with the small fish.

The real corruption lies with the fat cats, the untouchables and the faceless cabals. The good thing is, he confronts this mafia riding on the backing of the Head of State, who has called for action on the corrupt lot in this country. They must be made to pay back the money before being sent to rot in jail for good.  It would be a real shame to lose faith and trust in a man of God who promised much and delivered little.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: