By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze has once again found himself in a high level corruption, he is accused of demanding bribes from Tindvuna teMbali and “emajaha ekubutseka” endorsed by royalty to join the Army as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise.

An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that, the Army Commander told some aspiring soldiers who worked diligently for royalty during traditional events and subsequently endorsed to join the military that, there’s a long list and therefore, they must pay bribes to be included in the upcoming training.

The Army Commander allegedly operates through senior soldiers that include Brigadier General Mthiza Dlamini who allegedly moved to the United States (US) as Defense Attaché in the Eswatini Embassy but, Brigadier General Mthiza Dlamini allegedly operates the Army with Fakudze through a ‘remote control’ and facilitating the bribes for the Commander.

“If you don’t have the one hundred thousand Rands (R100,000.00) yet you have been endorsed by royalty to join the Army, you are forced to make a commitment that, after the passout event, you will apply for a bank loan and pay the Army Commander”, said an insider.

It has been confirmed that, Army Commander Mashikilisane Fakudze’s right-hand man Brigadier General Mthiza Dlamini is a close relative to Public Service Minister Mabulala Maseko and actively in charge of the recruitment while facilitating the bribes on behalf of his boss, Minister Mabulala Maseko’s role in the chain of corruption, “is facilitating the creation of Government posts” for new soldiers and those who have been promoted.

In return as the evidence in our possession suggests, the Army Commander ‘compensates’ Minister Mabulala Maseko by employing and promoting his children including, Maphalaleni Inkhundla residents who assisted the Minister as ‘Bogalajane’ during the previous elections.

But apart from Brigadier General Mthiza Dlamini who was allegedly assisted by the Army Commander to ‘jump’ from the position of Second (2nd) Lieutenant to Brigadier General within a year, the Army Commander allegedly “collects the bribes through Lieutenant Colonel Mduduzi Mntambo, the Head of Gcina Army Barracks”.

But this is not the first time the Army Commander sidelines candidates endorsed by royalty, Major General Prince Vusummango, the Army Chief of Staff previously confirmed to this Swaziland News that, the Army Commander allegedly defied an order from the King, directing him to promote ‘Incwala brave soldier’ Eddison Mampondweni Tsabedze.

“Yes, I did approached the Army Commander to communicate the King’s order but what you need to understand is that, in the Army there’s a hierarchy. Nawunikwe le-order lenkhulu kangaka isuka eNgwenyameni nawe ufike uyibike kuLabadzala, nami-ke ngenta njalo ngafika ngayibika kuLabadzala”, he said.

Major General Vusummango Dlamini said, King’s orders are not questioned or delayed in the Army adding that, he was expecting that, after communicating the order, Army Commander Mashikilisane Fakudze will implement it immediately without questioning because it came from the highest authority but, the Army Commander defied it.

“If he was not sure of the authenticity of the order, he was supposed to approach the King to verify. KaNgwane wena MntfwaneNkhosi nawungayetsembi le-order, uyahamba uyoyibonga eNgwenyameni, ufike utsi Ngwenyama ngitfola nayi order sengitsi angitewubonga, not to defy it”, said the Major General.

Eddison Mampondweni Tsabedze was promoted by King Mswati after demonstrating bravery during “Incwala kubamba Inkunzi” and got injured, the King allegedly ordered that, he must be taken care of and further be promoted.

Army Spokesperson Major Sandile Gwebu declined to comment regarding the corruption, Gwebu is also a subject of an investigation by this publication amid allegations suggesting that, he accumulated wealth and/or properties while serving as the Chairman of the Army’s Hlalawati Savings and Cooperative Fund.

But Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze has been battling with one scandal after another, he stands accused of owning two hundred(200) cattle worth R3million being proceeds of bribery paid by members of the public seeking jobs in the army and officers who were subsequently promoted.

Fakudze is also accused of looting Hlawati, a Savings and Cooperative Fund belonging to soldiers, he allegedly steals or receives five thousand Rands(R5,000.00) per-week as “litiya la-Commander” and the amount stolen has accumulated to about R1million.

The Army Commander is also accusing of looting over R20million and closing a Burial Fund belonging to soldiers, the Fund was assisting members of the Army with twelve thousand Rands(R12,000.00) as “imali yekulila” when visiting families to mourn the death of another soldier.