That year the King forced spending cuts in Government departments of up to 20 percent; but at the same time he awarded himself and the Royal Family a budget increase of 23 percent from public funds.
Then, as now, Swaziland was
affected by cuts in income from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
Successive governments that are not elected by the people but chosen by the
King have failed to manage Swaziland’s economy. The Swazi Government relies
heavily on SACU income and when it falls, as this year, it has little
alternative income.
In his speech opening
Parliament on Friday (12 February 2016), King Mswati blamed falling SACU
revenues for the crisis and called on everybody to help ensure the economy
improved.
In 2011, when budgets controlled
by the Swaziland Government were slashed by 20 percent King Mswati III got 23
percent more from the Swazi people for the upkeep of himself and his Royal
Family.
This was a 63 percent increase when compared with what
he took from his subjects two years previously in in 2009/2010.
The information was contained in the national budget but
not announced publicly.
In 2011/2012 the King and
his family got E210 million (US$30 million at the then exchange rate). That was
E40 million more than he got in 2010/2011, when he got E170 million. And E80
million more than the E129.5 million he got in 2009/2010.
At the time Majozi Sithole, the then Swazi Finance
Minister, in his budget speech praised, ‘their
Majesties for their continued support, wisdom, guidance and their insight into
the emerging trends brought about by the global economic meltdown. As the
socio-economic challenges continue to face the country, their Majesties concern
and involvement in joining government to tackle these problems deserves
acknowledgement and appreciation.’
See also
WILL SWAZI KING CUT HIS SPENDING?
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