The opportunity to contribute articles to the International Anti-Corruption Newsletter is highly welcome and appreciated. This is a good forum for contributing and sharing experiences with anti-corruption bureaus from other countries.
A Background Synopsis For The Swaziland Commission
The Swaziland Anti-Corruption Commission is a creature of a statute called: 'The Prevention of Corruption Order, 1993'. As the name of the law suggests, most of the strategies adopted by the Commission in fighting corruption are preventive in nature. This is in total compliance with the old adage that says 'Prevention is better than cure'. The Swaziland Commission is still new and in its formative stage, though calls to the effect that its honeymoon days are over are being heard from the public. There are growing public calls to the Commission to the effect that it must be seen biting, and not just a paper tiger.
The Prime Minister Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini officially launched the Commission in March 1998. The succeeding months were a founding period for both establishing a fully fledged office and setting in motion the human resource recruitment process.
Operational Strategies
A strategy called 'Investigation Directorate' was set up to undertake investigation duties. Corruption detected and reports received are investigated and appropriate cases forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (D.P.P.) for instituting legal proceedings. There are presently 18 cases with the D.P.P. and their nature-profile range from bribery to fraud. The biggest catch made by the Commission was the crackdown on a bribe-for-a-job syndicate engineered by Government officials.
The Public Education and Corruption Awareness Campaign is another effective strategy that was set-up to sensitize the public about the dangers and evil effects of corruption in society. In promoting this strategy, the following initiatives were employed.
(a) Dissemination of information leaflets and posters to the public;
(b) Making of reach-outs and holding of lectures in schools and in the employment sector;
(c) Participation in annual Trade Fair Exhibitions and Information stands;
(d) Holding of television and radio talk shows; and
(e) Making electronic and print media advertisements.
Challenges And Some Interesting Observations
Staff shortages and the ever changing world of technology and the dynamism of white-collar crime are the imminent challenges faced by the Commission. The training of sharp-shooting officers is a must and the continuous sharpening of their skills is a necessity. Basic computer literacy and fundamental investigation skills are the indispensable tools for the game.
Interestingly, it has been observed and captured during the public education drives that some of our customary/traditional practices are directly in conflict with the anti-corruption laws. It is enshrined in the Swazi custom that a cattle herdsman is only permitted to milk for himself the cows he looks after. He does not need his master's permission to do that. However, in the event that the same herdsman changes jobs and becomes responsible for public funds, this custom will be frowned upon by the anti-corruption law. The milking of public funds for one's personal gain is considered a corrupt practice by law.
Furthermore, it is a customary practice that countryside community farmers may join efforts and plough for free the fields of another community farmer, and it is the responsibility of that other community farmer to provide food for the farmers doing the ploughing. However, this customary practice is corrupt and criminal if applied to a public officer who performs his duties for free to the public and in turn receive something as a gift. These are some of the interesting observations on the perceived conflict between the Swazi customs and the anti-corruption law and it will be interesting if they face the test of courts of law.
Daniel Dlamini
Investigator
Anti Corruption Commission
Swaziland
