By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze has been accused of stealing air conditioners at Zombodze Military Police Army Camp.

An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that, the air conditioners were installed inside the new Army tents worth over R1million, soldiers confirmed that, they were subsequently instructed by the Army Commander to steal the air conditioners on his behalf.

As a result, the alleged theft has been reported to Defense and State Security Principal Secretary(PS) Prince Sicalo who subsequently refused to officially open the new tents pending vigorous investigations into the disappearance of the air conditioners.

It has been disclosed that, soldiers are allegedly struggling to use the Army tents amid extremely hot weather conditions and, without the air conditioners to mitigate the heat.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News, Army Spokesperson Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo described the questions as purely administrative, she referred comments to the Ministry of Defense and State Security.

“It’s an administerial matter.Kindly make contact with our mother Ministry in this regard,” said the Army Spokesperson

Efforts to reach Defense Principal Secretary Prince Sicalo proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

But apart from the alleged stealing of the air conditioners, Army Commander Mashikilisane Fakudze has been accused of owning over two hundred(200) worth R3million being proceeds of bribes allegedly paid by members of the public seeking jobs in the Army and, officers who were later considered for promotions.

On another note, Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze is a subject of a royal investigation for alleged corruption and dividing the Army, threatening State security.

As reported by this Swaziland News, he allegedly “ran to Mozambique last week to consult traditional healers as he faces removal as the Army Commander”.

The Army Commander who is now a subject of a royal investigation was exposed by this publication for allegedly looting about R20million monies belonging to soldiers and subsequently closed the Burial Fund that was assisting soldiers with “imali yekulila” amounting to twelve thousand Rands(R12,000.00) when visiting families to mourn the death of another soldier. 

On another note, the Army Commander has been receiving five thousand Rands(R5,000.00) per-week as “litiya la-Commander” from Hlalawati, a Saving and Cooperative Fund belonging to soldiers, the looted monies since Fakudze took over as the Army Commander, amount to about R1million.

This publication previously reported that, the Army Commander informed Commanding Officers(COs) during a meeting held at Nokwane Headquarters that, King Mswati “has commissioned an investigation to investigate the allegations published by the Swaziland News against him”.