Swaziland can't pay civil servants

Another African success story. Swaziland, a small kingdom to the east of South Africa, can't afford to pay its civil servants at the end of May because there's no more money in the coffers. But, in case anyone is worried about the King, please don't be - he's doing wonderfully well, living off the money paid to him by the state. As for his peasant workers, they're the ones sweating about their salaries. Swaziland is now looking for a bailout from the African Development Bank which I'm sure they won't default on....

Hat tip: Julian B

Majozi Sithole said the government might not find the funds for May salaries, and as yet has no solution for June, according to The Times of Swaziland.

The tiny country of 1.2 million people to the east of South Africa is run by an absolute monarch, whose lavish lifestyle often draws criticism.

Last month, the government cracked down on opposition protests, sparked in part by a freeze placed on public employees' salaries.

Swaziland is looking for loans worth up to 150 million dollars from the African Development Bank, in order to inject urgently needed funds into its depleted coffers.

The International Monetary Fund has called for greater austerity in the country, in particular spending by the royals, and better accounting practices by the government. The fund has indicated the country would need financial support to meet its obligations.

The King of Swaziland King Mswati III

Source