ESWATINI RANKED MOST CORRUPT COUNTRY IN AFRICA BY AFROBAROMETER

Eswatini has been named the most corrupt country in Africa, according to a recent report by Afrobarometer, a Pan-African research network that measures public attitudes on economic, political, and social issues. The organization, headquartered in Accra, Ghana, rated Eswatini at 87% for corruption, placing it ahead of South Africa at 82% and Lesotho at 81%.

This ranking comes as Eswatini grapples with a severe health crisis exacerbated by corruption. Public hospitals face chronic shortages of essential drugs, and hundreds of lives have reportedly been lost due to the crisis. Allegations of corruption involving SwaziPharm Wholesalers Director Kareem Ashraff and other suppliers have implicated millions of Rands in looted public funds. Ashraff, an alleged associate of King Mswati, is accused of exploiting his connections to operate with impunity in a system where the monarchy is perceived as untouchable.

Responding to the Afrobarometer report, Brian Sangweni, Spokesperson of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), said the ranking was long overdue. “You will note that, in this country, it is very hard to deal with corruption because it starts from the King, and those who are corrupt normally run to the King for protection,” Sangweni remarked, reflecting the frustration of many citizens who view the monarchy as enabling systemic corruption.

In contrast, Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson, dismissed the report, calling for evidence to substantiate the findings. “Without figures suggesting how Eswatini beats other countries in the region and abroad, it would be difficult to know what exactly Afrobarometer is referring to. For any findings to be taken seriously, there has to be scientific evidence,” Simelane said. He further accused the report of being a “form of collective hallucination” and demanded specific examples of corruption cases where the King allegedly protected the guilty.

The Afrobarometer report underscores widespread perceptions of corruption deeply embedded within Eswatini’s governance. Critics argue that the Tinkhundla system, which consolidates power within the monarchy, fosters an environment where corruption thrives. Allegations of state funds being funneled to elites and loyalists, coupled with a lack of transparency, have fueled calls for systemic reform.

Eswatini’s corruption is particularly visible in the health sector, where public funds meant for medicines and medical supplies often disappear. The involvement of politically connected business figures in fraudulent procurement processes has left hospitals unable to provide adequate care, leading to unnecessary deaths and suffering.

For many, the Afrobarometer ranking is a reflection of a broader governance crisis in Eswatini, where accountability is scarce, and public resources are exploited for personal gain. The report has intensified calls for international attention and pressure to address the corruption and human rights abuses perpetuated under the monarchy.

As the debate over the Afrobarometer findings continues, the struggle for accountability and transparency in Eswatini remains a critical issue. While government officials dismiss the report, the lived experiences of ordinary Swazis paint a stark picture of a system failing its people. Whether this report will galvanize reform or be dismissed, as Simelane suggests, remains to be seen. For now, Eswatini’s ranking as the most corrupt country in Africa adds another layer to the challenges facing the kingdom.