By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala summoned Court Registrars two(2) weeks ago specifically, to warn them against leaking court files to Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini particularly, the high profile warrant of arrest application against his alleged friend SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff.

The meeting took place inside the Chief Justice Chambers and comes at the time when the CJ is facing criticism for defeating the ends of justice by blocking a warrant of arrest filed by the Anti Corruption Commission against the politically connected businessman of Indonesian origin.

“The Chief Justice warned us not to leak information to you. Iyamudla mani lendzaba ya-Ashraff lomuntfu lomdzala ngoba at least Times and Observer ibhala kutsi businessman, wena uvele utsi bhaba! usho kutsi ngu-Ashraff”,said one of the Court Registrars when speaking to  the editor.

Efforts to seek a comment from the Chief Justice proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Ashraff stands accused of stealing about R1billion public funds through his alternative company AvaPharm(Pty) Ltd, the money was budgeted to purchase drugs in public hospitals.

The warrant of arrest appeal is now before the Supreme Court and on another note, eSwatini is facing shortage of drugs in public hospitals, dozens have died since the crisis erupted triggered by rampant corruption in the public administration.