LOBAMBA – Could the country witness something similar to the Madlanga Commission that is currently ongoing in neighbouring South Africa?
This is the question that begs an answer following a recommendation made by the Prime Minister (PM), Russell Mmiso Dlamini, of the establishment of a single, wide-ranging commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption across all sectors, instead of setting up separate commissions for individuals or departments.
The PM made the remarks in Parliament yesterday during the debate on his office’s First Quarter Performance Report for the 2026/27 Financial Year, following calls from Members of Parliament (MPs) for investigations into alleged corruption in various ministries.
In South Africa, the Madlanga Commission is the informal name for South Africa’s Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System. It is chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, from whom it takes its name.
President Cyril Ramaphosa established the commission in July 2025, following serious public allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi alleged that criminal syndicates had infiltrated parts of South Africa’s police, prosecution, intelligence services and other criminal justice institutions, and that political interference was undermining investigations.
In the context of the PM’s recommendation, the commission of inquiry covering all sectors is conceptually similar to the Madlanga Commission in that it would be a single, broad inquiry rather than multiple separate investigations.
The key difference is that the Madlanga Commission focuses specifically on criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system, whereas the PM has suggested a commission that would investigate alleged corruption across all sectors.
The PM’s proposal came after Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtetwa welcomed government’s decision to establish a commission of inquiry into the Eswatini Medical Christian University (EMCU), but argued that similar investigations should also be extended to other ministries facing allegations of corruption.
Mtetwa specifically called for an inquiry into the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, citing allegations that an individual had allegedly received a bribe of E5 million.
“The country cannot remain silent. The same stick the prime minister is using elsewhere should also be used here,” he said.
He further referred to allegations surrounding illegal online gambling, saying the matter also fell under the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and warranted an independent investigation.
“When Parliament returns next quarter, a team should already have been appointed to establish what is happening and follow up on the allegations,” Mtetwa submitted.
He added that senior public officials, including ministers, should not be left under a cloud of suspicion.
“If there are allegations that a minister received an E5 million bribe, those allegations must be properly investigated so that the truth can be established,” he said.
The MP also sought an update on the PM’s anti-corruption task team, which was appointed to strengthen government’s fight against corruption.
He said many emaSwati had raised concerns about corruption during Sibaya and questioned how far the task team had progressed with its work.
“We were pleased when the prime minister appointed the task team to assist in the fight against corruption. We now want to know how far it has gone and when it will present its report. The report will help us understand what needs to be done going forward,” he said.
Mtetwa further argued that perceptions that influential individuals were being protected from prosecution undermined public confidence in the fight against corruption.
“If there are no arrests, it becomes difficult for the public to believe that corruption is being tackled,” he added.
Other MPs also pressed the PM for an update on government’s anti-corruption efforts, particularly regarding the effectiveness of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Manzini North MP Mashayinkonjane Nhlengethwa reminded the House that Parliament had previously requested legislation to strengthen the ACC’s powers.
“It has now been 34 months and nothing significant has happened. Yet during Sibaya, the nation called for stronger measures to monitor the movement of money into and out of the country,” he said.
Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba also urged authorities to support law enforcement agencies investigating illegal online gambling.
“The police are handling a major illegal online gambling case and they need our support. If there are no arrests, we will have a challenge. No one should protect individuals from being arrested. If anyone is doing so, they too should face the law,” Lushaba said.
Responding to the debate, PM said the numerous calls for commissions of inquiry suggested that government should, instead, establish one comprehensive commission to investigate corruption across all sectors.
“Regarding the fight against corruption, I hear repeated calls for commissions of inquiry into different departments. It appears that what we need is one large commission that will investigate all departments instead of appointing 30 separate commissions,” he said.
Speaking in siSwati, the prime minister remarked: “Kuyevakala sidzinga yinye i-commission of inquiry lenkhulu,” meaning that the country required one major commission of inquiry covering all sectors.
“I think it will be instituted. We will establish one big commission that will look into all sectors,” he added.
The PM also appealed to MPs to report any information or suspicions relating to corruption.
“I ask all of you to report any corruption-related allegations or suspicions. It is not good that on some matters MPs remain silent while on others, they speak out. Corruption must be fought with full force,” he said.
He assured the House that government was committed to taking decisive action against corruption.
“Drastic steps will be taken to fight corruption in this country,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the ACC’s inability to secure arrests, Dlamini acknowledged that the commission had experienced setbacks after applications for three warrants of arrest were not approved.
“We are aware that the ACC became stuck after warrants of arrest were not approved. However, the commission should not give up simply because three applications were unsuccessful,” he said.
He noted that the ACC had investigated several other cases and encouraged it to continue applying for warrants where appropriate.
“The chief justice, as head of the Judiciary, has a responsibility to satisfy himself before making such decisions. It would be unfortunate for someone to be arrested and detained when they have committed no offence,” he said.
The PM also pointed out that the police have powers to effect arrests in appropriate circumstances without first obtaining warrants.
“The police are empowered to arrest where the law allows them to do so. They should carry out their responsibilities and assist in the fight against corruption,” he said.
Returning to the allegations involving a minister, the PM reiterated that the concerns raised by MPs reinforced the need for a broad-based inquiry.
“You have submitted that the minister should be investigated over allegations relating to E5 million received through illicit means. That is why we believe government should establish one commission of inquiry for the whole country, because it is clear that there are many issues that require investigation,” he said.
