swaziland: blood money used for luxury jet

The People's United Democratic Movement of Swaziland
PUDEMO
International Office

Australia, Asian and the Pacific Region

E-mail: [email protected]

Date: August 21, 2002.

Blood money for King Mswati’s private jet

The veil of secrecy surrounding the government’s decision to purchase a luxurious aircraft for King Mswati III’s personal use has been lifted. It is now public knowledge that E450 million (US$45 million) of taxpayers’ money and foreign aid funds will be used to purchase the Bombardier Global Express aircraft. We commend the Times of Swaziland for bringing this issue to the attention of the public. The royal family government has been caught stealing public funds and its deeds have been brought into the open for all to see.

The official rationale for the purchase of the jet is that it will somehow reduce the risk that the King might find himself in a hijack situation if he uses public aircrafts. This is clearly nonsense and cannot be used to justify buying a jet. Hijackings occur because hijackers get on board planes. The ease with which they get on board planes has everything to do with airport security and nothing to do with who owns the plane. It is simply silly to argue that the King’s security will be improved if he owns rather than leases a plane.

As an organisation representing the interests of the oppressed and impoverished people of Swaziland, the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) condemns this decision in the strongest possible terms. We are outraged by the government’s decision to secretly and lavishly spend taxpayers’ money and aid funds in this manner whilst tens of thousands of Swazis are severely affected by the current drought. This decision is morally repugnant and provides yet more evidence of the government’s insensitivity to human suffering. There is now no doubt that this government has lost all sense of humanity and empathy. Tens of thousands of Swazis are starving and impoverished and do not know when their next meal will come. The health system has collapsed. State owned health facilities are severely underfunded – a situation which has produced a culture of neglect of the sick. Patients in government hospitals are exposed to appalling conditions despite the efforts of the few overloaded staff. Severely ill patients do not have daily access to doctors and nursing care is very limited and unable to meet the demand. Consequently people die of conditions that can be treated.

The HIV/AIDS outbreak and the recent drought have compounded the health problem as many more Swazis are now sicker, hungry, weak and dying. Swaziland has one of the highest HIV infection rates in Southern Africa and is one of the countries most affected by the drought yet the government seems unconcerned. There are no clear programs with clear targets and no substantive resources have been committed to contain the HIV/AIDS outbreak and the effects of the drought on the population. Instead, the royal family is squandering taxpayer and foreign aid money in order to indulge its consumer interests.

Although such neglect is expected from self-centered leaders with no responsibility or accountability, the decision to spend US$45 million on a private aircraft whilst the country is confronted with such challenges is incomprehensible. This is a moral issue which deserves the concern of all people who have a moral commitment to alleviate human suffering. It is our strong belief that the amount the government intends to spend on the aircraft could make a significant contribution to providing basic medical services, drought relief programs and the campaign against the spread of HIV in the country.

PUDEMO appeals to donor agencies to apply similar sanctions as in Malawi by withdrawing financial aid to the government of King Mswati III. The international community must not collude with this terrible abuse of the Swazi people nor allow its resources to be diverted to the purchase of “luxurious toys” for the use of the ruling elite. We appeal to donors, politicians, bureaucrats and governments to act swiftly and condemn this decision in the strongest terms possible.

We further appeal to the manufacturers of the aircraft to put humanity before profit and examine the morality of this deal. The money that they have already received and the balance of the moneys owed is in reality blood money. It should have been used to feed the starving and treat the ill. Do they really wish to participate in the shameful betrayal of the Swazi people by a despotic regime?

To the politicians of Swaziland we ask you to stand with integrity against this travesty. Your own rules have been violated and your parliament has been treated with contempt as you are presented with a deal that is already under way. Although we do not agree with your undemocratic government system, we appeal to your moral sense and ask you to demonstrate some sense of loyalty to Swaziland by refusing to rubber stamp this deal.

To the people of Swaziland, the decision to spend your money in this manner must surely prove that this regime must finally be overthrown without delay. The onus is now on you to see that the government of King Mswati III is ejected from office immediately.

Signed:

Jabulane Matsebula
The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO)
International Office
Australia, Asia and the Pacific Region