BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini says government is strengthening the country’s anti-corruption framework with the ultimate goal of making integrity and accountability part of Eswatini’s national culture.
Speaking during an interview with Eswatini Positive News Managing Editor Mbongeni Ndlela, Dlamini said while corruption remained a challenge, government had intensified efforts to build stronger institutions capable of preventing, detecting and investigating corrupt activities.
He said the fight against corruption could not be left to law enforcement agencies alone but required a collective change in mindset across both the public and private sectors.
“The intention is to make anti-corruption part of our culture and part of our responsibilities,” said Dlamini.
The Prime Minister said government had already increased funding for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to strengthen its operations and improve its ability to investigate corruption-related offences.
He said additional investigators had also been recruited to enhance the commission’s investigative capacity as government moves to reinforce the country’s anti-corruption architecture.
According to Dlamini, government recognised that strengthening institutions responsible for fighting corruption was essential to improving governance and restoring public confidence.
He said Cabinet was also considering the National Anti-Corruption Policy, which would provide policy direction for the country’s efforts to combat corruption.
In addition to the policy, government is developing a National Anti-Corruption Strategy that will provide a comprehensive and coordinated framework for preventing, detecting and combating corruption across all sectors.
Dlamini said the strategy would ensure that anti-corruption efforts moved beyond investigations and enforcement by placing greater emphasis on prevention, institutional accountability and ethical leadership.
He acknowledged that administrative bottlenecks continued to affect the pace at which some anti-corruption initiatives were being implemented.
“Yes, there are administrative bottlenecks that are hindering the task team, but we are implementing a strategy now,” he said.
Despite those challenges, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that government would overcome the obstacles and continue strengthening institutions responsible for promoting transparency and accountability.
He said fighting corruption formed part of government’s broader governance reform.
According to Dlamini, good governance is one of the three pillars identified under the Grand Plan alongside economic growth and social development.
He said government remained committed to implementing reforms that would improve public institutions while ensuring that public resources were managed responsibly.
The Prime Minister said promoting ethical conduct within government institutions was equally important, adding that every public servant had a responsibility to uphold integrity in the execution of their duties.
He said government wanted to create an environment where transparency became the norm rather than the exception.
The Prime Minister urged public institutions to embrace accountability while encouraging citizens to play their part in promoting honesty and responsible governance.
He said government would continue implementing reforms designed to strengthen oversight institutions and improve coordination in the fight against corruption.
The Prime Minister said while legislation, funding and institutional reforms were important, lasting success would ultimately depend on changing attitudes.
“We want integrity to become part of who we are as a nation. Fighting corruption should not only be the responsibility of one institution but a shared responsibility for every emaSwati,” he said.
He added that government remained committed to ensuring that the measures currently being implemented translated into a stronger, more transparent and accountable public service capable of supporting national development and delivering quality services to citizens.
#AntiCorruption #Integrity #Transparency #Accountability #GoodGovernance #EthicalLeadership #Eswatini #ACC #PublicService #FightCorruption #NationalTransformation #RuleOfLaw #Governance #EswatiniPositiveNews
Post Views: 110
