E30 MILLION FOR STATE SECURITY, NOTHING FOR COURTS

MBABANE – E30 million has been budgeted for the procurement of State security equipment. The 2025/26 Budget Estimates Book shows that the taxpayer will fund this procurement, which falls under Head 05, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).  “E30 000 000 local funds to procure State security equipment,” the estimate book reads. While the specific type of equipment is not stated, State security equipment generally encompasses hardware and systems designed to protect a State, its citizens, and its interests from various threats. This includes physical security measures like CCTV, access control and intrusion detection, as well as specialised equipment for intelligence gathering and national defence.

In the 2024/25 financial year, the taxpayer paid E20 million for the same purpose. Overall, the project will cost E315 million. A further E20 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation and fencing of police houses, prioritising those damaged by storms. “E20 million local funds for rehabilitation of structures affected by wind-storms: Mbabane PTS, Simunye, Mafutseni, Siteki and Malkerns.” This project was allocated E18.9 million in 2024/25 and is expected to receive a further E22 million. Overall, it will cost E180 800 000 over four years.

Allocated

To date, E38.9 million has been allocated. An additional E9 million has been allocated in the 2025/26 financial year for the construction of institutional housing for police (phase one).
“E9 000 000 local funds to clear arrears for construction of additional housing at Mbabane, Lubulini and Hlane police camps.” In 2024/25, the project was allocated E11 million. Overall, E170 million has been budgeted for the project over four financial years. In the 2025/26 financial year, E86 million has been allocated for police capital projects. Regarding State security, the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) has been allocated E30 million for the construction of barracks.

“E30 million local funds for the construction and rehabilitation of army barracks.  E20 million for the procurement of semi-permanent structures, plumbing, electrical and building materials for minor repairs and maintenance works.” Notably, the Judiciary, which includes the High Court, Industrial Courts, Master of High Court offices, magistrate courts and the National Court, was not allocated any projects under capital projects. This is despite the fact that some courts, such as the Pigg’s Peak Magistrates Court, were burnt during the civil unrest in 2021. Magistrate courts are currently working in corridors, putting files at risk. Furthermore, the High Court has recently suffered from leaks due to heavy rains, with some offices having leaking roofs.

Capital

Under Head 48 (the Judiciary), there is not a single capital project. Even under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the courts are not listed among the government buildings to be rebuilt or rehabilitated in the 2025/26 financial year. Under the recurrent budget, the Judiciary’s budget has increased by approximately E100 000 from the 2024/25 financial year.
 However, a decline of around E3 million has been observed in personnel costs. In 2024/25, Judiciary personnel costs were E28 828 348, while in 2025/26 they are E25 783 683.

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