BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA – The Deputy Speaker, Madala Mhlanga, has emphasised the need for the Office of the Auditor General (AG) to operate independently, asserting that such autonomy would significantly enhance the Office’s efficiency and capability.
Speaking on 25 February 2025 during the 2024/25 annual performance debate for the Ministry of Finance, held at the Senate by Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Ministry’s portfolio committee, Mhlanga urged the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, to introduce a bill this year that would establish the AG’s Office as an independent entity.
He stressed that such a legislative move was necessary to provide the AG’s Office with the essential resources required to carry out its duties effectively. The Deputy Speaker is said to have described the Office of the AG as critical to governance, citing its role as a watchdog over Government’s management of public funds. Mhlanga highlighted the AG’s collaboration with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)—a committee appointed by the House of Assembly to examine Government expenditure—as instrumental in ensuring accountability.
He claimed that through this partnership, the PAC was empowered to represent Parliament in holding the Executive to account for its use of taxpayer money.
CALL FOR TRAINING AND BUDGET SUPPORT
Mhlanga reportedly appealed to Minister Rijkenberg to allocate sufficient funds for the recently recruited auditors within the AG’s Office. The Mhlangatane MP suggested that these auditors, despite their qualifications, required further training to build their capacity for their new roles.
He expressed the opinion that such training, particularly in forensic auditing, would prepare them to address complex financial investigations, saving the country significant sums in the future. He is said to have explained that hiring external forensic auditors currently costs the Government about E4 million, whereas investing in the training of in-house auditors could mitigate these expenses.
Mhlanga reportedly stated that an empowered and well-trained AG’s Office would be a formidable weapon in the fight against corruption. However, he emphasised the necessity of ensuring that all anti-corruption institutions worked cohesively to achieve their objectives.
ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES IN THE BUDGET
During the pre-budget conference on 14 February 2025, hosted by Minister Rijkenberg at the Ministry of Finance in Mbabane, it was reportedly revealed that combating corruption was a key feature of the 2025/26 budget. The Ministry’s Principal Secretary, Vusi Dlamini, is said to have announced reinforcements within the AG’s Office as part of these anti-corruption efforts.Mhlanga’s remarks, coupled with the Ministry’s outlined measures, highlight the growing recognition of the AG’s pivotal role in promoting transparency and accountability in Eswatini’s financial management.
