MBABANE:Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini allegedly received the list of Anti Corruption Commission(ACC) concluded cases last week through the established Task Team.
King Mswati ordered the arrest of alleged corrupt individuals in his Speech from the Throne, however, Chief Justice(CJ) Bheki Maphalala’s alleged tension with the PM has been described as an obstacle to the fight against corruption as “Maphalala is reportedly against the ACC’s arrangement to report to the Prime Minister.
“Holding accountable those involved and facilitating corruption, is crucial if the national anti-corruption agenda is to succeed and ensure corruption is not tolerated”, said the King.
But a senior investigator within ACC told this publication on Sunday that, the concluded cases were submitted to the Prime Minister for approval pending the arrests but, without the signing of the warrants of arrest by the Chief Justice or any Judge under his administration, the suspects won’t face justice.
The senior investigator further alleged that, “Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala is reluctant to allow the arrests after information leaked through this Swaziland News” suggesting that,he was being investigated by the ACC as well.
“As you know that there’s an Anti Corruption Task Team that reports to the Prime Minister, the concluded cases were submitted to him. Inkinga-ke nyalo seyilakungevanini kwakhe na-CJ as you know kutsi bafuna kumsusa naye aboshwe. The warrants of arrest must be signed by the Chief Justice yet the very same CJ is aware that,he is being investigated as well”, said the senior ACC Investigator.
Both Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo and ACC Spokesman Jabu Phakathi declined to comment.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Sunday evening, Wandile Dludlu,the Deputy President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) suggested that, the Anti Corruption Commission must be collapsed adding that, it’s hard to fight corruption in this country hence the institution remains a waste of taxpayers money and other public resources.
“It’s difficult to fight corruption in this country where almost all powerful and corrupt people are working towards pleasing the royal family or the King. The so-called fight against corruption then becomes factional squabbles where one faction tries to undermine the other and in the process, the real corrupt people get away with murder. The challenge in this country is the issue of checks and balances,the system has no checks and balances. Most active people in terms of business who are actively driving corruption, are linked to the royal family and by law, you can’t arrest the royal family”, said the PUDEMO Deputy President.
King Mswati(pic: Gov).