Swazi graft busters sworn in

2008-09-30 16:07

Mbabane - Swaziland's new anti-corruption commission on Tuesday pledged to crack down on graft in the impoverished southern African kingdom as it was sworn in after months of delays.

The commission was established in 2007, and although 23 complaints have been filed, a lack of financing prevented it from starting work, the panel's chief Michael Mtegha told AFP.

Actual investigations won't begin until later in the year, he added.

"There is still a lot to be done in educating Swazis on what corruption is," Mtegha told AFP.

He said the commission would host a national anti-graft summit later in the year to highlight the problem in the tiny kingdom, Africa's sole absolute monarchy.

"In this summit we will stress the importance of fighting corruption because the country's development is severely affected by corruption," he said.

Appeasing international donors

Former finance minister Majozi Sithole said in his budget speech at the start of the year that corruption cost the country about 40 million emalangeni ($4.8m) every month.

But political analyst Vusi Sibisi said the new commission was aimed mainly at appeasing international donors who have pressed the country to crack down on graft.

"So far there has been no political will from the authorities to combat corruption," said Sibisi.

According to UN figures, about two thirds of Swaziland's 1.14 million people live in poverty and 40% of adults are infected with HIV.

In September, Swaziland's king - who is renowned for his free-spending lifestyle - staged a lavish celebration to mark 40 years of the country's independence from Britain and his 40th birthday.

The state-sponsored celebration attracted widespread controversy and set the country back by 100 million emalangeni.

- AFP