By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane says troubled but politically connected SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff can meet the King however, the Monarch will not stop the looming arrest by the police and ongoing investigations by the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS).

As reported by this publication, Ashraff allegedly ran to King’s Private Secretary Mbongeni Simelane for assistance in securing a royal emissary(Lincusa), he allegedly wants the King to assist him in stopping  the reported new high level investigation launched by the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) and other law enforcement agencies into allegations of tax evasion and/or money-laundering.

Tax evasion is the illegal non-payment or underpayment of tax and, the investigation is conducted in terms of legislations governing tax administration in the country.

Ntobeko Dlamini, the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) Director-Marketing and Communications told this Swaziland News that, “the revenue institution has a non-disclosure” policy on issues involving clients tax information and therefore, cannot share details of the alleged investigation.

“Our position, as always, is guided by our confidentiality obligations. We appreciate your understanding of our need to maintain confidentiality in these matters,” said the ERS Director-Marketing and Communications.

It has been reported that, some of Kareem Ashraff’s bank accounts have been frozen pending investigations, the business is alleged to be using some of his shell companies to evade tax.

A shell company is a registered but, non-operating business, it primarily exists on paper to conduct financial transactions and hold assets.

But apart from that, the Anti Corruption Commission(ACC) in collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) made two(2) separate attempts to arrest the politically connected businessman of Indonesian origin, the businessman stands accused of looting billions of public funds, resulting in the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.

Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala, an alleged long-time friend of the SwaziPharm Director allegedly saved  him from being arrested by blocking a warrant of arrest.

But it has been disclosed that, law enforcement agencies are intensifying investigations and as a result, Ashraff might be arrested after the removal of Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala.

Responding to this Swaziland News when asked to clarify if Ashraff can secure an appointment with the King, the King’s Spokesperson said even though the Monarch operates with an open door policy, he might not stop the looming arrest or investigations by the law enforcement agencies. 

“The King operates on an open door policicy, he meets everyone. However, “Open Door” is only a policy. The decisions taken during similar meetings are not a policy but a projection of the King's innermost feelings about the issue presented to him. It would be therefore difficult to know that he will embrace whatever request will be brought to him. There is no guarantee that seeing the King means exonoration from being locked-up. We have no record of the King’s intervention when a suspect was being pursued by the police,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

Kareem Ashraff recently addressed a press conference and vigorously denied stealing public funds, he blamed this publication for consistently writing articles, accusing him of corruption.

On another note, eSwatini is facing a health crisis amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, dozens have died since the crisis erupted triggered by rampant corruption allegedly involving Ashraff and some of his companies.