By Bongiwe Dlamini | 2025-04-01

GOVERNMENT has refuted claims that the taxpayer will foot the bill for security upgrades to be carried out at Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini’s residence and office.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, in a press statement issued yesterday, said money to be spent on this project was sourced from a donor.

This follows media reports that a budget of E40 million was requested for security upgrades at the premier’s office.
“Regarding recent reports of a E40 million budget request for security upgrades at the prime minister’s office and residence, government wishes to assure Emaswati that the taxpayer will not spend a cent on this project. This is because the project is donor-funded.

“The project covers the government house as well as the private and cabinet office, and involves a number of security facilities and high-tech features, including the construction of security infrastructure, surveillance systems and related equipment, and even includes roads improvement,” reads the statement.

Nxumalo added that the prime minister was never involved in any security risk assessments or upgrade undertakings in either his offices or respective residential places. This, he said, was the sole responsibility of the government security office, which is manned by appropriately qualified security personnel.

“These upgrades are also not specifically to benefit the incumbent prime minister but a long-term plan to guarantee security at the government house and prime minister’s offices, regardless of who is at the helm,” the statement reads in part.

On another note, Nxumalo said there were reports that the premier was overstepping his powers and had appointed himself the ‘head’of the Anti-Corruption Task Team, which he set up in February, 2024. Setting the record straight, Nxumalo said this was not true because the terms of reference for the Task Team stipulate who the chairperson is.

He mentioned that the Task Team did not interfere with the judicial processes of investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, but rather coordinated and facilitated “the fast-tracking of high profile investigations and prosecutions relative to fraud and corruption and other serious offences within the law enforcement institutions of Eswatini.”

“According to the terms of reference, the chairperson and selected members of the coordinating task team will regularly provide feedback reports to the minister of justice and constitutional affairs and the prime minister on the work and progress of the task team.
This is where the prime minister’s role ends,” explained Nxumalo.

In this regard, he said it was important for the prime minister and the minister of justice and constitutional affairs to be able to track progress in order to report back to the nation, which was already agitated enough about the nagging corruption scourge in the country.
Further, Nxumalo said another normalised lie was that the Task Team was composed of individuals such as the director of public prosecutions (DPP), the commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the national commissioner of police.
“The truth is that these three agencies are represented in the Task Team and not necessarily by the individuals leading them,” stated Nxumalo.

He added that it was concerning to realise that some members of Emabandla, whom he said rightfully have the responsibility to make direct advice to the prime minister, had somehow resorted into ventilating issues through the media space.

“This we consider as unfortunate. It is not in good taste and does not project unity of purpose. The prime minister maintains an open-door policy on national issues, including those that directly affect his office.

“Therefore, government encourages anyone to seek out direct audience with the office of the prime minister to give advice on any issue of national interest.

“The prime minister is also readily available to present himself to any of Emabandla to receive guidance and advice on any national matter,” concluded Nxumalo.

 

 

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