Swaziland turns to traffic fines to fill empty coffers

Swaziland’s government is broke and users of roads and customs services are beginning to feel the pinch. “It’s no longer academic or speculative as to what will happen. We are seeing the effects of government’s financial crisis and they are growing,” the manager of a Matsapha-based road transport firm told FTW. Last week the Ministry of Public Works announced the rolling retirement of its road grader fleet as the vehicles have been breaking down because no money is available for spare parts. The graders are used largely to service the rural road network, while cross border road freight transporters stick to highways and main urban arteries. However, the graders are also used to clear mudslides from highways during heavy rains, and there is concern that funds may also run out for highway maintenance machinery. A 70% drop in government revenues after these monies were no longer available from the pool of Sacu customs receipts has prompted a hiring freeze at government agencies, affecting plans to enhance customs operations at border posts and to expand operating hours at the crossings. What government has lost from Sacu it seems determined to make up in traffic fines. Since October when the financial crisis hit, police roadblocks have become ubiquitous as vehicles are scrutinised for defects while ticketing for traffic offences is also up. Government may be broke but still managed to approve R350m to continue work on its pet project, a new international airport located in the middleveld hamlet of Sikhupe.