By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Sihle Dlamini,the King’s Interpreter who allegedly abused his proximity to the Monarch to accumulate wealth, is now facing a multimillion Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) investigation into allegations of tax evasion.

A tax evasion investigation is a process that seeks to gather evidence and determine whether a taxpayer, individual or business illegally and intentionally avoided paying taxes, it comes in the event the revenue institution has reasonable suspicion suggesting that “the taxpayer might have or is evading tax”.

The King’s Interpreter declined to comment about the tax evasion investigation and clarify the allegations against him.

But an independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that, the King’s Interpreter is owning the multimillion Open House Hotel situated in Mbabane and Guest Houses across the country.

Dlamini also owns a Scaffolding company conducting business or providing scaffolding services at the multibillion International Convention Centre(ICC) not to mention the “tenders he normally secures from Home Affairs Minister Princess Lindiwe particularly, during King’s Birthday Celebrations”.

Reached for comments by this publication, Ntobeko Dlamini, the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) Director Marketing and Communications said, the revenue institution “does not comment on tax and customs affairs” of any individual or company.

“The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) does not comment on the tax and customs affairs of any individual or company. As always, this position is guided by our confidentiality obligations,” she said.

Responding to this Swaziland News, King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said, even though he was not aware of the investigation by the Eswatini Revenue Service, the King will not interfere.

“We are not aware of the move by the Eswatini Revenue Service against anyone in the King's Office. No, we have no reason to think the King will interfere should the allegation hold because we have no record of the King’s interference when a suspect  is being sought for breaking the law. We do have a record of members of the royal family and King’s Office employees being arrested and charged amid the King’s silence,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

On another note, bank transactions suggest that, the King’s Interpreter’s companies trade mostly with various corporate entities with alleged links to members of the politically connected Jesus Calls Worship Centre(JCWC) and, most of the JC linked companies are using the same Accountant or Auditor who assists in manipulating the figures to assist Dlamini evade tax.

The name of the Auditor allegedly linked to the JC and Dlamini’s companies cannot be revealed for now pending further investigation into these serious allegations of tax evasion.

King Mswati’s Interpreter previously declared that, he will own Hotels in the country but his source of income remains highly questionable, the Eswatini Revenue Service investigation is highly expected to involve the Jesus Calls amid allegations suggesting that, the church was used by Dlamini as a conduit for money-laundering and tax evasion.