SA rescues children in major anti-trafficking operation
eSwatini could be on the brink of collapse due to too much attachment to luxury, according to US Ambassador Lisa Peterson. Peterson was speaking during the celebration of her country’s 242nd independence celebration at the embassy on Friday where she quoted the late King Sobhuza II’s words: “The Roman Empire collapsed because of too much attachment to luxury, and also because of the complacency of its people.”
The basis of her warning was a concern over the manner in which the kingdom makes decisions on spending money, which she dismissed as wrong in some instances.
The ambassador noted with apprehension that government officials and oversized delegations were travelling in first or business class and spending days, sometimes weeks, in luxury hotels, using funds from public coffers.
“Government has known for years that it needs to reduce the size of the civil service, decrease overall expenditures, and pursue policies that will foster economic growth. Instead, the public service wage bill has grown by 85 percent in the last five years”, she said.
She said while the US wanted to help the fiscally challenged country, especially on HIV/AIDS response, their resources were finite and many nations beyond eSwatini had foreign assistance needs as well.
“How do we continue to justify helping out in the health sector while bad spending decisions are being made elsewhere in government” she added.
She was quick to point out that the necessary changes would require extraordinary political willpower, fiscal transparency at all levels and greater regulatory oversight.
King Mswati III’s representative, Prince Hlangusemphi said the country was mindful of the shrinking level of donor support and the need to maximise on the limited resources to overcome some of the challenges.
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.