by Ncaba Ntshakala
In this week’s Finance in Focus, the Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg highlighted a pressing concern as Eswatini begins crafting its 2025-2026 national budget.
The Minister revealed that a vast portion of public funds is being diverted to address societal issues, with escalating crime and the implications of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act at the forefront.
RELATED: Finance minister reports on recurrent spending: E11.6 billion annual budget already released
According to Rijkenberg, the nation is facing an alarming rise in cases that overburden correctional facilities, the judicial system, and law enforcement.
This creates a domino effect where resources that could otherwise be allocated to economic growth and job creation are instead funneled into managing these challenges.
The strain on government finances is evident, he explained, as correctional services require additional funding to accommodate an increasing prison population, while law enforcement agencies seek expanded budgets to combat rising crime rates.
The Minister reflected on this reality and stressed the interconnectedness of governance and society. “It is our government, funded by taxpayers, working for the nation,” he remarked.
He urged emaSwati to recognize that resolving societal issues cannot be left solely to government institutions.
He pointed to the current economic trajectory as an opportunity for transformative change, noting that Eswatini’s recent economic growth is internally driven, unlike previous periods influenced by external factors.
“And when it comes to fixing societal problems, it is very difficult from within government to try to deal with these things,” Minister Neal said.
“So, I really felt, especially because we are on a lovely economic trajectory. We’re actually really getting into economic space that we haven’t been a very long time as a country.”
RELATED: Pakistan’s target of 3.5% GDP in 2023-24 fiscal year “realistic” – finance minister
“We are experiencing double the economic growth rates of the past two decades,” Rijkenberg stated.
He called for collective action, urging citizens to address issues like gender-based violence and corruption, which not only erode societal values but also redirect resources away from critical developmental priorities.
His appeal was clear: “Societal reform is key to achieving sustainable economic progress. We must act as a united front to ensure that public funds are used productively.”
