SITEKI – Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini has accused Members of Parliament (MPs) of looting the Regional Development Fund (RDF).
Dlamini made the claims during a budget capacitating exercise dubbed ‘Taking the Budget to the People’ with tindvuna tetinkhundla and bucopho in the Lubombo region, held at Siteki Town Hall.
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He said the ministry had noted several irregularities in how the fund was being accessed, adding that corruption was rife at tinkhundla centres.
“Some MPs are looting the RDF,” the minister alleged.
The RDF is meant to support community development projects and alleviate poverty. To access the fund, constituents must form development schemes with at least 10 members and present a viable operational plan.
MPs Manipulating the Process
According to Dlamini, some MPs manipulated the process by organising friends and relatives to access the money. This meant only a few individuals benefitted while deserving community groups were sidelined.
“This is corruption, and it undermines government’s efforts to fight poverty,” Dlamini said, adding that his ministry was working to bring corrupt MPs and tindvuna tetinkhundla to book.
Public Service Minister Weighs In
Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko echoed Dlamini’s concerns, urging tinkhundla councils to prioritise profit-making projects that create jobs.
He also warned against bribery, claiming some MPs and tindvuna tetinkhundla were paying government officials to fast-track services, leaving deserving communities neglected.
“We must be vigilant and report elements of corruption in order to have an effective government,” Maseko said.
MPs Demand Action
Meanwhile, Lugongolweni MP Joseph Souza challenged the ministers to take responsibility.
“We cannot keep lamenting about corruption when we are the ones supposed to eliminate it,” he said, urging government to act decisively against offenders.
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