The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday warned Swaziland’s absolute monarch against buying a multi-million dollar jet, saying it could jeopardise future donations to the small African kingdom.
But Swaziland officials said the IMF warning would ”not change government’s position with regard to acquiring the jet”.
In a statement after meeting Swazi officials in the capital of Mbabane, the IMF said it was opposed to the $45-million purchase of the luxury jet by Swazi King Mswati III.
”It would send the wrong signals to the world that your country does not need donor support if he (Mswati) proceeds with the acquisition of the jet,” said IMF officials, who were in the country to assess the Swazi economy.
”We at the IMF feel that this expenditure of the king’s jet could crowd out social needs and scare donor support while deflating foreign exchange reserves,” it added.
But Finance Minister Majozi Sithole said: ”Government’s decision of purchasing the jet will not change. We do not necessarily have to be told by people from outside how the country’s economic affairs should be managed.”
Nearly 300 000 people out of a total population of around one million face starvation in Swaziland — a rise of about 80% since August last year.
Many young people survive on one meal a day, the country’s disaster task team said earlier this month.
The IMF said there was an ”urgent need to re-orientate spending towards social sectors such as health and education, while restraining overall expenditure”.
”Further substantial expenditure could further weaken the fiscal situation,” the IMF warned.
Local media reports in Swaziland indicate that the country has already paid about $2,8-million of a five million dollar deposit to ensure delivery of the Canadian-built plane.
The kingdom faced a $62-million deficit at the end of last year, up from $53-million in 2001. – Sapa-AFP