By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:King Mswati through the Eswatini Tender Board, has allegedly awarded a Presidential Villas construction tender worth about R2billion to La Sorogeeka Interiors Swazi(Pty) Ltd, a company allegedly owned by SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff.

These are findings of a high level investigation conducted by this Swaziland News into allegations of rampant corruption within the public administration and, King Mswati extravagant spending at the time when the tiny Kingdom is facing shortage of drugs in public hospitals resulting in death of dozens of emaSwati.

State documents obtained by this publication Investigation Unit suggest that, the project meant to construct Villas for Heads of State and Government who will grace the upcoming King’s forty(40) years on Throne Celebrations next year, was initially budgeted at about R405million but, subsequently used by Mswati and Ashraff as a conduit to steal over R1billion public funds.

But Kareem Ashraff was previously exposed by this publication and through various State investigation reports released by the Auditor General(AG), the Public Accounts Committee(PAC) and the Funduzi Forensic Services, he allegedly looted billions within the Ministry of Health resulting in the shortage of drugs in public hospitals, 

The influential, powerful and politically connected businessman of Indonesian origin, is allegedly registered as a Director of La Sorogeeka Interiors Swazi(Pty) Ltd and, an independent investigation conducted by this publication further uncovered that, the company’s Offices are situated at Ashraff’s House of Lords, Industrial Site-Mbabane.

Documentary evidence in possession of this publication suggests that, on or around 6th June 2025 and, subsequent a manipulated tendering process, Mbongeni Mhlonishwa Dlamini, the alternative Secretary to the eSwatini Government Tender Board wrote to the Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development confirming that, the Presidential Villas tender has been awarded to the company allegedly owned by Ashraff.

“Following your submission regarding the above subject, I am directed by the Eswatini Government Tender Board to inform you that your request for the above cited contract having been considered in terms of Section 29(5) of the Procurement Act 2011, has been approved. The approved Service Provider is La Sorogeera Interiors Swazi(Pty) Ltd, at total project cost of E1,876,000.000.00(One Billion Eight Hundred and Seventy-six Million Emalangeni only) exclusive of VAT and Taxes”, reads the letter in part.

A questionnaire was sent to SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff, however, he declined to comment and clarify these allegations.

But King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane arvigorously defended the King saying, “the Monarch does not participate in the Tender Board decisions”, he subsequently dismissed these allegations as another ploy to discredit the King.

“We have no record of that instruction to award Mr Ashraft any tender. The King normally does not participate in Tender Board decision making.Until evidence is shared, we will continue to believe that the claim is yet another ploy to discredit the King,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

Responding to this Swaziland News this week when asked to share his views regarding these allegations, lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said, “it’s very unfortunate to note that, a businessman who was recently red-flagged subsequent to investigations conducted even by the Parliament Public Accounts Committee(PAC),  has been awarded a tender worth R2billion.

“Maybe let me start by saying, Ashraff seems to be a very lucky businessman because almost all Government huge tenders are awarded to him. I would say he is lucky because he was supplying the Army and the Police Service with uniform and, was also awarded tenders worth billions to supply drugs in public hospitals, serious allegations of corruption against him were ignored. Now he has been awarded another tender worth R2billion to construct Presidential Villas despite being red-flagged. It’s clear that the fight against corruption in this country is a fallacy,” said the lawyer.