The US makes annual
reviews of the ‘fiscal transparency’ of governments that receive its financial assistance
to ensure that American taxpayers’ money is used appropriately.
In its review
of Swaziland, published on Friday (12 June 2015), the US Department of State
concluded the kingdom, ruled by King Mswati, who is an absolute monarch, did
not meet acceptable standards.
The report stated, ‘Expenditures
to support the royal family, military, police, and correctional services are
included in the budget, but are not subject to the same oversight as the rest
of the budget.’
It added, ‘Revenues and
expenditures related to natural resources are not included in the budget.’
The report concluded, ‘Fiscal
transparency in Swaziland would be improved by including all expenditures and
revenues in the budget; subjecting the entire budget to audit and oversight;
consistently applying legal procedures in the awarding of natural resource
extraction contracts and licenses; and making basic information on natural
resource awards publicly available.’
The truth about of the
King’s spending has been consistently hidden from the Swazi people, his budget
is never debated in parliament, and audits of the budget are only presented to
the King himself and the Royal Board of Trustees chaired by the minister of
finance.
Media in Swaziland have access to the full budget estimates which contain information about the King’s budget but do not publish it. State media in the kingdom are heavily censored and the private media censors itself when reporting about the King.
Media in Swaziland have access to the full budget estimates which contain information about the King’s budget but do not publish it. State media in the kingdom are heavily censored and the private media censors itself when reporting about the King.
Seven in ten of
Swaziland’s tiny 1.3 million population live in abject poverty with incomes
less than US$2 a day; three in ten are so hungry they are medically diagnosed
as malnourished and the kingdom has the highest rate of HIV infection in the
world.
Despite the poverty of
the kingdom, King Mswati continues to live a
lavish lifestyle. He has 13 palaces, fleets of top-of-the-range Mercedes and
BMW cars, at least one Rolls Royce and a private jet.
See also
KING DIVERTS WEALTH FROM HIS SUBJECTS
KING MSWATI SPENDS AND SPENDS
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