By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala allegedly abused his powers as Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission(JSC) and as a Judge and blocked the arrest of SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff who stands accused of stealing billions of public funds, resulting in the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.

It has been disclosed that, the CJ removed the Acting Commissioner of the Anti Corruption Commission(ACC) Maphevu Mkhatjwa who had just concluded three(3) high profile cases against Civil Service Commission(CSC) Chairman Simanga Mamba, SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff, the Chief Justice himself and others.

This publication previously reported that, South African senior Advocates arrived in the country a few months ago to provide legal advice to the ACC and State prosecutors in the high profile criminal matter involving Kareem Ashraff.

But the ACC tried to apply for a warrant of arrest against Ashraff, the application was dismissed by the CJ citing lack of evidence.

As previously reported by this publication, Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala close ally of the Swazipharm Director while Simanga Mamba by virtue of his position as the Chairman of the CSC, is an influential member of the JSC.

Reached for comments earlier, lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said, the Anti Corruption Commission must be allowed to work independently without political interference.

“The ACC is independent in terms of the Prevention of Corruption Act and therefore, it must be allowed to work without political interference,” said the lawyer.

ACC Spokesperson Jabu Phakathi declined to comment about the matter.

On another note, the Anti Corruption has concluded a strong case against the Chief Justice and Ashraff however, apart from protecting Ashraff, the Chief Justice has been blocking his own arrest, abusing his powers as a Judge. 

It is alleged that, after this publication exposed that, the ACC was after him, Chief Justice Maphalala quickly directed that all application for warrants of arrest for such high profile cases must be approved by him.

Even though the JSC is empowered by the law to employ a new ACC Commissioner, it is alleged that, the Chief Justice removed the ACC Acting Commissioner to sabotage high profile cases of public interest and these cases involve Swazipharm Director Kareem Ashraff.