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EXPOSED:Prime Minister Russell Dlamini faces new forensic probe in looted R500million COVID-19 funds amid pressure from donors, colludes with Ashraff in a plot to fire Auditor General(AG) and sabotage investigations.

Monday, 1st April, 2024

MBABANE:Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini is allegedly colluding with SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff in a plot to fire and arrest Auditor General(AG) Timothy Matsebula, amid a looming fresh forensic investigation into the disappearance of part of the R500million COVID-19 funds donated by international organizations and local private companies.

As a result,the Auditor General(AG) has signed a sworn statement after receiving serious threats from the Prime Minister(PM), the statement was submitted to the police,Minister of Finance, King’s Office,the Chairperson of the Parliament Public Accounts Committee(PAC) among others.

This comes after the Prime Minister allegedly told the Auditor General(AG) to drop the looming high level forensic investigation into the disappearance of the COVID-19 donor funds.

On or around 14th March 2024 and after learning that, the Auditor General(AG) “has signed a sworn statement”, Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini allegedly invited him for a meeting in his office to take pictures before the story of the threats came-out.

The PM then posted on his social media page in an alleged attempt to do damage control, he publicly pledged full support for the Office of the AG knowing very well that he was fighting Matsebula behind the scenes.

“Last evening,I received a courtesy visit from the Auditor General, Mr Timothy Matsebula, at the Private and Cabinet Office.We deliberated on the functions and mandate of the Office of the Auditor General, which aligns with Government’s zero-tolerance for corruption.The AG expressed the need to review the Office of the AG with the intention to build and strengthen its capacity.In turn, I expressed Government’s support for the proposed review and strengthening,provided the exercise is conducted by an independent and competent agency.Government acknowledges the overall and ultimate purpose of the AG’s Office”, said the Prime Minister in his social media page.

Retiring and outgoing Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

But an influential former Cabinet Minister very close to the matter told this publication that, the meeting was actually arranged by the Prime Minister(PM) who wanted to apologize after bullying the Auditor General(AG).

“After learning that the AG was refusing to drop the forensic investigation but instead reported the threats through a sworn statement,he invited him into that meeting to apologize.Besengimangele kutsi awuyati njani indzaba lenkhulu kangaka.The PM threatened the AG watsi “what comes around goes around yini lolowakubhala kule-report”. He was actually saying “you investigated me” at NDMA and now I’m the Prime Minister, I will deal with you if you continue”.With arrogance,he told him to consult him first and seek permission before investigating him”,said the former Cabinet Minister whose name cannot be revealed for ethical reasons.

It is alleged that,after a series of articles exposing the PM in the disappearance of donor and public funds, subsequent to a report compiled by the AG,international donors demanded an investigation and threatened to stop funding future programs in the country if eSwatini does not commit or subscribe to the principles of accountability.

Documents in possession of this Swaziland News suggest that, the Auditor General(AG) who earlier compiled a report, alleging the disappearance of about R180million within the National Disaster Management Agency(NDMA), has already issued invitations to local and international forensic investigating companies, urging them participate in a tendering process to investigate about five(5) projects including the disappearance of donated COVID-19 funds.

Other projects that might form part of the looming forensic investigations as per the documents in our possession include corruption within the Central Transport Administration(CTA),the Sicunusa road project and the Ezulwini International Convention Centre(ICC) and Five Star Hotel(FISH).

It is alleged that, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, the then Chief Executive Officer of the National Disaster Management Agency(NDMA) and his alleged ally SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff who,through his various companies, is also suspected to have looted the millions of the donated COVID-19 funds,have captured Sipho Mtsetfwa, an investigator of the Anti-Corruption Commission(ACC) to investigate the Auditor General(AG) and come-up with anything that could be used against him before he can even commence the investigation.

As reported by this Swaziland News a few weeks ago, Sipho Mtsetfwa is the same ACC investigator who allegedly visited Ashraff and then told the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP)Lomvula Hlophe that, there was no evidence that could be used to successfully prosecute the SwaziPharm Director despite the availability of documentary evidence and the forensic investigation report alleging the looting of over R1billion within the Ministry of Health.

A questionnaire was sent to the Prime Minister,however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff said, he will speak and respond to this publication after the court cases. 

On another note,the terms of reference of the looming investigation against the Prime Minister,seen by this publication suggests that, it seeks to, among others, establish supporting evidence regarding the utilization of the COVID-19 donor funds.

“Establish a list of all donors for the COVID-19 services and review funds disbursed from the donors.Review for all Donor Funds Receipts and Donor Funds payment for each and every program and entity for the period of 2020, 2021 and 2022. Review all SLAs for any contract with donor fund management and check all transactions in terms of disbursement of donor funds”, reads the terms of reference in part.

It is alleged that,Russell Mmiso Dlamini was appointed as Prime Minister after looting the COVID-19 donated funds thus raising allegations suggesting that, he might have shared the monies with King Mswati.

But Percy Simelane,the King’s Spokesperson when responding to this Swaziland News on Sunday, vigorously denied that, the appointment of the PM by the King was linked to the missing monies.

The King’s Spokesperson consistently maintained that, the King does not single-handedly appoint a Prime Minister but act on the advice of the King’s Advisory Council.

“We are not aware of the proposed  forensic investigation in question and we are not surprised that we are not aware of it because they are normally part of government operations away from the King's Office.We beg to continue to assume that the investigation will identify those who benefitted from the funds if any.We believe it will be then that all of us will know the culprits if any.Before that official report, we will continue to decline entertaining speculations.Also,our experience is that the King does not single-handedly appoint the Prime Minister.The short- list comes from the Advisory Council and the name of last man standing is arrived at by the entire team”, said the King’s Spokesperson on Sunday afternoon.

Efforts to reach Auditor General(AG)Timothy Matsebula proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments on Sunday evening, Sivumelwano Nyembe, the Spokesperson of the pro-democracy MultiStakeholder(MSF) said, as an organization, they fully support the intended investigation within the National Disaster Management Agency(NDMA) but decried the weakness of the Legislative arm of Government in holding the Executive accountable.

“The MSF do encourage the intended investigation on the alleged corruption occurrence at NDMA of the COVID 19.It looks an indictment of the poor internal systems for outsiders to come and investigate incidences,should have been investigated by national statutory institutions.This show the weakness of a political system that does not have a legislature with real authority to oversee the executive. We hope this investigation will be allowed to be open and independent.If such allegations are true.This is bordering in crimes against the nation (humanity).Everyone's life was at stake from COVID19,” said the MSF Spokesperson.

EXPOSED:Prime Minister Russell Dlamini faces new forensic probe in looted R500million COVID-19 funds amid pressure from donors, colludes with Ashraff in a plot to fire Auditor General(AG) and sabotage investigations.
A cover of the terms of reference of a looming investigation in the disappearance of COVID-19 funds.