Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini must intensify its fight against corruption if it is to safeguard its economic future and reverse the staggering financial losses crippling national development.
This was the impassioned call made by the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, during the Mid-Term Budget Debate held on Monday, 17 November 2025, in the House of Assembly. During the debate, MPs were told by Minister of Fiance Neal Rijkenberg that at the end of September 2025, an amount of E7.7 billion had been collected, as the Government is on course to collect E16 billion by the end of this financial year.
The latest developments were welcomed by the legislators, but the issue of corruption became one of those that seem to be problematic in the country. Minister Dlamini, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Nkwene Inkhundla, urged his fellow legislators to rally behind the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prince Simelane, in reinforcing the country’s anti-corruption drive.
According to latest figures, Eswatini is currently haemorrhaging approximately E100 million every month due to corrupt activities. This marks a steep and troubling rise from previous years, where monthly losses were placed at E40 million, later doubling to E80 million before climbing to the current estimate.
Dlamini warned that such losses did not only rob the nation of precious resources but also undermined ongoing efforts to stimulate economic growth, attract investment, and improve service delivery. “If we are serious about uplifting the economic wellbeing of our people, we must decisively confront corruption in all its forms,” he emphasised.
MPs across the political spectrum welcomed Dlamini’s remarks, describing corruption as a cancer that continues to erode the foundations of national progress. Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtsetfwa added his voice to the debate, urging the Executive to intensify its efforts and calling on the Judiciary to accelerate the processing of corruption-related cases. Swift justice, he argued, would deter would-be offenders and restore public confidence in state institutions.
The renewed push to uproot corruption aligns with repeated calls from His Majesty King Mswati III, who has highlighted the issue during the opening of Parliament both this year and last. In response, the Government—under the leadership of Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini—established the Anti-Corruption Task Team. This multi-agency body brings together the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to streamline investigations, strengthen collaboration, and fast-track accountability.
The country’s anti-corruption efforts have not gone unnoticed on the global stage. In August last year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) commended the ACC for its strong performance and commitment to dismantling corrupt networks. However, the IMF stressed the importance of continued government support to ensure the Commission remains adequately resourced and empowered to fulfil its mandate.
As Eswatini’s financial losses continue to rise, the message from Parliament is increasingly clear: the fight against corruption is no longer an option but a national imperative. With strengthened political will, bolstered institutions, and sustained public support, leaders remain hopeful that the tide can be turned—and that the millions currently lost to corruption can be redirected towards building a more prosperous and equitable Eswatini.
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