SENATOR CHIEF PRINCE MPHATFWA EXPOSES RAMPANT CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT
Corruption in Eswatini’s Government has reached alarming levels, with even junior civil servants now demanding bribes from suppliers. This was revealed by Senator Chief Prince Mphatfwa during a meeting between Senators and the Human Rights and Integrity Commission on Monday.
The Prince, who is also Chief of eLudlawini, told the Commission that the cancer of corruption is not limited to politicians but has spread deep into the civil service. He accused some officials of demanding a ten percent (10%) kickback from suppliers before processing payments or approving contracts. Such practices, he said, are crippling businesses and eroding public trust in government institutions.
Prince Mphatfwa stressed the importance of transparency and accountability, urging the Human Rights and Integrity Commission to broaden its focus. “The Commission must work extra hard in the fight against corruption, all of us including junior public servants must declare assets so that, our lifestyle could be monitored,” he said. His statement reflects a growing concern that corruption is no longer confined to the top but has trickled down to every level of government.
The Senator also highlighted the lavish lifestyles of some public servants, which do not match their official salaries. “Some civil servants are owning houses worth millions on Eswatini Nation Land but, their salaries do not justify their lifestyle,” he observed. This points to a culture of unexplained wealth that thrives under a weak system of accountability.
Corruption in Eswatini has long been linked to the collapse of public services and the suffering of ordinary citizens. Hospitals frequently run out of drugs, schools face shortages of materials, and the economy continues to deteriorate, while those in positions of power enrich themselves. The ten-percent kickback system described by Prince Mphatfwa is just one of many ways public funds are diverted away from serving the people.
His remarks are unusual, given that members of the royal family rarely acknowledge corruption within government. For a Senator Chief to openly point fingers at civil servants is a rare admission that corruption has eaten into the very foundation of the state. It is also a warning that unless action is taken, the situation will continue to worsen.
The call for asset declarations by all public servants could be a first step in addressing the problem, but in an absolute monarchy where accountability is weak, it remains to be seen whether such measures will be implemented. In most cases, those who expose corruption are victimized, while the corrupt are protected by their connections to the ruling elite.
For many emaSwati, corruption is not just a political issue but a daily reality. Businesses are forced to pay bribes to survive, citizens must pay extra to access basic services, and young people see that success is determined not by hard work but by connections and kickbacks.
Prince Mphatfwa’s comments shine a light on a truth long known by the people: corruption in Eswatini is systemic and deep-rooted. But unless his words are followed by action, they will remain just another speech in a country drowning in scandals.
