Madam,

The saying goes that one bad apple spoils the rest. Sadly, this proverb increasingly reflects the growing concern many citizens have about corruption in our country. Eswatini is not immune to this global scourge and despite ongoing efforts to combat it, corruption continues to undermine progress, weaken institutions and erode public trust.

Corruption is not only a national challenge; it is also a regional crisis. Within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), corruption remains a major problem that severely affects economic growth, entrenches poverty and disrupts the fair delivery of public services. Member countries continue to lose vast amounts of tax revenue through bribery, theft of public funds and weak enforcement of regulations. These losses directly weaken governments’ ability to invest in development and, most painfully, make it extremely difficult to create meaningful employment for young people across the region.

When resources meant for schools, hospitals, roads and job creation are diverted through corruption, it is ordinary citizens who pay the highest price. The promise of development is replaced by frustration, inequality and growing disillusionment, especially among the youth.

In Eswatini, concerns are often raised about the abuse of administrative processes and loopholes within public institutions, sometimes for personal or career advantage. Even when such practices are not widespread, the perception or possibility of them undermines public trust. More importantly, any system that allows individuals to remain in positions of power beyond fair or lawful limits denies younger, qualified citizens the opportunity to contribute to national development. When institutional processes are bent or manipulated, meritocracy suffers and confidence in governance is eroded.

When leadership positions are protected through manipulation rather than merit and legality, the consequences are far-reaching. Youth unemployment worsens, institutional renewal is delayed and public confidence in governance is seriously damaged. A system that rewards dishonesty risks normalising it. Corruption, in all its forms, is a cancer. It spreads quietly but destroys systematically. It weakens the justice system, diverts resources meant for development and deepens inequality. Ultimately, it is ordinary citizens who suffer most, while a few individuals enrich themselves or cling to power unlawfully.

Yet, amid these challenges, there remains hope. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has demonstrated commitment to investigating and pursuing cases of corruption. Through its work, it has sent a clear message that wrongdoing will not be ignored and that accountability remains a cornerstone of justice.

The ACC’s efforts to conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence and collaborate with other law enforcement agencies are commendable.

These efforts are essential in uncovering complex networks of corruption that often operate in secrecy and sophistication. However, the fight against corruption cannot be left to one institution alone.

EmaSwati must collectively take a stand. Silence and indifference only allow corruption to thrive. Citizens, public officials and leaders alike must embrace transparency, integrity and accountability. Whistleblowers must be protected and ethical leadership must be rewarded.

The reality is simple: No nation can develop where corruption is tolerated. Every ill-got advantage gained through dishonesty is a direct loss to a child waiting for education, a patient needing healthcare or a young graduate seeking employment. We must therefore move from awareness to action. Rules must be enforced without fear or favour. No individual, regardless of position or influence, should be above the law. Accountability must be real, not selective.

If Eswatini is to realise its full potential, then the culture of impunity must end. The time has come to say, with one voice, that corruption in all its forms is unacceptable.

The saying goes that one bad apple spoils the rest. Sadly, this proverb increasingly reflects the growing concern many citizens have about corruption in our country. Eswatini is not immune to this global scourge and despite ongoing efforts to combat it, corruption continues to undermine progress, weaken institutions and erode public trust.