MINISTER of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Prince Simelane says the country needs officers in the mould of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to effectively fight corruption.
He said Eswatini needed individuals who would ensure that no one went uninvestigated. He was speaking during the debate of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs’ 2025/2026 performance report and budget debate before its portfolio committee yesterday.
General Mkhwanazi has made headlines in South Africa for exposing crime and corruption syndicates involving Members of Parliament and drug lords.
Prince Simelane revealed that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) handled 281 cases and received 74 new ones in the last financial year. Of the 74 new cases, 60 warranted investigation, while 10 were transferred to other agencies.
He expressed concern that the nation continued to raise corruption issues during Sibaya, despite His Majesty King Mswati III having advised against corruption on two occasions during the opening of Parliament.
He noted that although the ACC was making progress, it faced challenges, including the requirement to refer cases to other courts.
The minister said a team had been sent to benchmark in Ghana, which has a similar Constitution to Eswatini. He noted that the team returned with positive findings as Ghana was in the process of amending its laws to strengthen anti-corruption efforts.
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He explained that in Ghana, authorities no longer rely heavily on signatures but use courts more efficiently to ensure cases are handled and offenders are arrested.
Prince Simelane said as Eswatini amends its legal framework, the ACC would have its own courts, allowing offenders to be prosecuted more effectively. He added that gadgets used in committing crimes would also be confiscated.
He noted that Ghana’s anti-corruption body has its own prosecutors and courts, as well as dedicated judges. He further stated that Ghana is among countries recognised for effectively fighting corruption, unlike Eswatini, where corruption remains prevalent.
“We have confidence in what we have benchmarked in Ghana because corruption has been rife in the country and we want to put an end to it. People have taken the country for granted and while debating in the House of Assembly, I stated that we now need a Madlanga Commission,” he said.
Senator Prince Mphatfwa urged the minister to name and shame those involved in crime.
He said some individuals were stealing copper while others were involved in scams, which were not reflected in reports. He added that there were 31 extradition cases.
“Can you name and shame these people so that we know they are wanted? I might be part of the 31, so that people are aware that these individuals are being sought,” he said.
Senator Lorraine Nxumalo said the country was losing hope in the fight against corruption as those involved were not being arrested. She added that this was damaging the country’s international reputation.
She warned that Eswatini risked being ranked poorly among other nations in terms of corruption and said government should clarify its efforts, especially after the King’s Speech from the Throne called for decisive action.
“The E28 million they are requesting is too high if they are not ending corruption,” she said.
