BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
EZULWINI – Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini has hailed His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Queen Mother for their role in fostering international cooperation and strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue, as Eswatini hosts a major regional public accountability gathering.
Dlamini said the King’s commitment to good governance, fiscal transparency and public accountability had contributed to creating an environment that enabled Public Accounts Committees (PACs) from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC), alongside international partners, to converge in the Kingdom.
She was speaking during the official opening of the Southern Africa Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) 18th Conference and 22nd Annual General Meeting held at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini.
The four-day gathering which started on Monday brings together parliamentarians and accountability institutions from across the region and beyond.
Dlamini said the presence of delegates in Eswatini was a reflection of the country’s commitment to being a trusted partner in regional and international discourse on public financial management and oversight.
“As we convene today, let me start by extending a profound appreciation on behalf of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Eswatini, to His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Queen Mother for their visionary leadership in fostering international cooperation and advancing inter-parliamentary dialogue,” she said.
She said it was through the King’s steadfast commitment to good governance, fiscal transparency and public accountability that PACs from SADC parliaments, together with international partners, were gathered in the Kingdom.
The event was attended by delegates from 25 countries and representatives of nine Supreme Audit Institutions.
She said the gathering demonstrated the commitment of African parliaments to strengthening their oversight mandate and ensuring that public resources were properly accounted for.
The Senate President also congratulated SADCOPAC on reaching 23 years of existence, describing its continued operation as evidence of institutional resilience, clear purpose and steadfast leadership.
She singled out the organisation’s financial management record, noting that since its establishment in 2003, SADCOPAC had never received a qualified audit opinion.
Dlamini said this demonstrated that the organisation was leading by example when demanding high standards of financial accountability from governments across member states.
She said PACs had a critical responsibility in ensuring that controlling officers accounted for public funds and that government financial records accurately reflected the use of resources intended for service delivery.
“Public funds belong to the citizens, and every cent spent by government must withstand public scrutiny to ensure it serves the national interest,” she said.
Dlamini further urged delegates to actively participate in the conference deliberations and develop resolutions capable of strengthening public financial oversight across Africa.
She said PAC members faced a demanding responsibility because their work involved scrutinising large volumes of financial documents, audit reports and government expenditure while confronting powerful interests.
She also stressed the importance of continuously strengthening the technical capacity of parliamentarians serving on PACs.
Dlamini said PAC oversight was highly technical and required members to understand financial standards, auditing frameworks and public-sector accounting.
She commended SADCOPAC for its capacity-building initiatives, including orientation and training programmes for newly constituted PACs following elections in member states.
She said the organisation’s recent training in Namibia and planned engagement in Mozambique demonstrated its commitment to continuous professional development.
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