For starters to ending corruption, the prime minister must call the Chief Justice, minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Attorney General to a table.
“They must look into the events of 2015 whereby the Chief Justice delivered a judgment which rendered the Anti-Corruption Commission as non-functional and how this can be removed.”
This was the submission made by Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP) Welcome Dlamini who was seemingly fired up when he called for an intensive fight against corruption.
It was the second time Dlamini took to the podium as a panellist of the Sibaya, in day five where he delivered his opinions on the topic that he was given by the Sibaya secretariat.
The topic was, ‘Corruption continues to be a challenge in the country and numerous efforts have been made to curb it without success. What do we need to do to curb it?’
He said the judgment issued by CJ Bheki Maphalala handicapped the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to effect its arresting powers.
He said the ACC up to this date had not been fully able to function because of the pronouncement that the CJ Maphalala made in the case.
The CJ was quoted as having opined that certain sections of the ACC Act were unconstitutional.
‘Allow PM to approach King to request investigation of his council members’
Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP) Welcome Dlamini says the next prime minister should normalise approaching His Majesty King Mswati III to grant investigations of the people around him accused of corruption.
Much to the applause of Sibaya attendants, MP Welcome said the next PM should have the courage to hate corruption to such an extent that he does not defend people to be investigated against accusations of corruption.
“We can request that the next PM must have courage to be able to approach the King and say to him, ‘Your Majesty, we are looking for one of your servants who has finished the country’s funds.’ In Siswati we know that you can ask from the King any person who is sought after and the King allows for it to happen.
We, therefore, would like to request that the PM approaches the King and requests for those accused of crimes who are next to him,” he said.
Arrest people over drugs shortage – Welcome
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini says those behind the drugs shortage in the country must face justice.
The legislator said the health crises remained a sore thorn because while it was announced that there was an ongoing investigation, there was still no one prosecuted.
He said it was clearly mentioned by the former minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg that the medical crises continued unabated, while government continued to allocate E700 million for the procurement of medicine.
“If we want to fight corruption because the drug shortage has tainted the King’s name in the world, where it is said His Majesty has squandered citizen funds than procuring medical drugs. One asks where these drugs vanish to. Why are we making the King a laughing stock? If we are serious about fighting corruption, put people in jail for the drugs shortage. People must be arrested.
“They have committed serious crimes. People have died due to the shortage of drugs. Citizens are now being referred to pharmacies to buy expensive medicine. And when you follow through, the pharmacy belongs to one of these culprits. “Let us stop playing about ending corruption. We cannot arrest a driver at the border for drugs.
“Who sent him? Turn the driver into an accomplice witness and he will say who sent him. Also investigate the mushrooming pharmacies as to who owns them. Citizens are now receiving treatment at pharmacies, money which is inherited by fat cats. This must stop,” he said.
