Africa-Press – Eswatini. Parliament is regarded as the bastion of democracy and must be free from the shackles of corruption.
However, the integrity of our Parliament has been called into question. This comes after accusations and denials regarding bribery allegations during the Senate elections that took place in the House of Assembly, last Thursday. We have heard these allegations and admissions before, as they have been brought up repeatedly over the years. There have been numerous calls for an investigation; however, we have not yet seen the legal process take its course.
In the past, the lack of complainants has often been used as a major excuse. This invites the question: When will our law enforcement agencies consider it their civic duty to address a matter, especially when it involves an unethical practice that not only undermines the principles of our democracy but also erodes public trust in the integrity of our political system? Corruption is commonly associated with the involvement of two individuals, which raises concerns about the potential involvement of our newly-elected Members of Parliament (MPs). Currently, the general public lacks the ability to differentiate between the guilty and innocent individuals, who have been elected to Senate or form part of the MPs that allegedly enabled this evil act. The tragedy in all this is that we may end up with corrupt ministers in our Cabinet.
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The presence of corrupt individuals in Parliament has a direct impact on the effectiveness of lawmaking and governance. When individuals who lack ethical character and are driven by financial motives hold positions of power, legislative decisions become corrupted as they prioritise personal gains over the well-being of the nation. By conducting thorough investigations and taking appropriate action against individuals suspected of corruption in Parliament, we can establish a more ethical and accountable legislative process. This will help ensure that laws are enacted with the utmost consideration for the well-being of citizens. We should demand nothing less than an independent and impartial investigation that is completely free from any political interference or influence. This is crucial to ensuring that the integrity of the process is preserved. Justice can only be served and the dignity of Parliament can only be restored through a transparent and unbiased investigation.
We must not be passive or dismissive regarding these allegations, as adopting a similar attitude has caused our country to drop 45 places on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in just five years. Currently, we are ranked 135 out of 180 countries. When the 11th Parliament assumed power, we held the 85th position. During this time, there were allegations of bribery for Senate seats, but unfortunately, no action was taken to address these claims. Corruption has significantly undermined our service delivery, leading to public discontent, particularly in relation to drug shortages in our health facilities. The police are encouraging individuals to file complaints, although it is unlikely to occur as the defeated Senate candidates are more focused on pursuing reimbursements from the MPs than visiting the police station.
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The Human Rights and Integrity Commission has expressed its keen interest in monitoring these developments and is yet to meet with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to discuss the criminal element of these claims. When asked who will be responsible for initiating the necessary action, the Clerk to Parliament said his office had already reported the allegations to the ‘toothless’ ACC. The actions, or lack thereof, in the coming days will indicate the extent to which this country values the lives of its people, upholds the integrity of Parliament, and condemns corruption. No action is non-negotiable this time around!
Source: TIMES
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