PM beefs up ACC

The anti-corruption machinery has been strengthened through the recruitment of additional investigators for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the development of a National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

This was revealed by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, who outlined the planned interventions while responding to questions raised by Members of Parliament (MPs) during the debate on the Office of the Prime Minister’s first-quarter performance report.

Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla had asked what government was doing to curb the high rate of corruption and sought clarity on the ACC’s role.

Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtetwa appreciated the PM for having established the Anti-Corruption Task Team. He also sought clarity on when a report outlining progress in the fight against corruption would be brought before Parliament.

In response, Dlamini said the Anti-Corruption Task Team had been established to strengthen coordination among institutions responsible for preventing, investigating and prosecuting corruption.

He said the task team was intended to reduce procedural bottlenecks and improve the effectiveness of the national anti-corruption framework.

However, the prime minister said progress had been constrained by challenges relating to the issuance of warrants of arrest in corruption-related matters.

“Notwithstanding these challenges, the Anti-Corruption Commission will continue to pursue investigations and submit requests in respect of other suspected cases, in accordance with the law,” he said.

The premier added that government had also taken additional measures to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption architecture.

These, he said, included enhancing the investigative capacity of the ACC through the recruitment of additional investigators, as well as the submission of the National Anti-Corruption Policy to Cabinet for consideration.

He further mentioned that work was under way to develop a National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which would provide a comprehensive and coordinated framework for preventing and combating corruption.

The issue of warrants has recently drawn sharp criticism from Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala, who warned the prime minister and politicians against interfering in the ACC’s operations.

The CJ said corruption continued partly because of what he described as excessive political interference in the Commission.

He stressed that the ACC must operate independently and that its constitutional reporting structure did not place it under Cabinet control.

Maphalala further stated that the PM, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Prince Simelane or any other politician should not interfere in the operational affairs of the Commission, arguing that the minister’s role was limited to ensuring that the institution received adequate financial resources.

The chief justice also rejected suggestions that the Judiciary was responsible for frustrating corruption investigations by refusing to issue warrants.

He said courts were required to assess the evidence presented in each application and could not merely approve requests without sufficient legal grounds.

During the parliamentary debate, appointed MP Tsembeni Magongo said although there appeared to be cooperation among the three arms of government, corruption remained a concern.

She noted that the ACC had indicated that certain aspects of the existing framework required review and asked whether the process could be expedited.

Responding to this submission, the PM said the ACC should continue submitting cases where investigations had been completed and follow established legal processes when seeking warrants of arrest from the Judiciary.

He said it would be premature to conclude that all corruption-related cases would not receive judicial consideration, as each matter had to be assessed on its merits and in line with the applicable legal framework.

“The ACC is further encouraged to expedite the review of the relevant framework to identify any areas that may require strengthening, with the objective of ensuring that the fight against corruption remains effective, coordinated and responsive,” he said.

Meanwhile, Manzini North MP Sifiso Nhlengetfwa called on the prime minister to establish a Commission of Inquiry to support the work of the ACC and help ensure that public funds were properly managed and controlled.

Dlamini said he appreciated the support from MPs for the establishment of such a commission.

He said a nationwide Commission of Inquiry was being considered, particularly in light of the growing number of MPs requesting investigations across government ministries.