By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Businessman and King Mswati’s Interpreter Sihle Dlamini allegedly collected over R16million from more than eight (8) investors who were struggling to secure an appointment with the King.

An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that, the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) Financial Intelligence Unit allegedly flagged Dlamini’s Nedbank account after he deposited about R1million cash within a short space of time, more suspicious transactions in Dlamini’s bank accounts were subsequently detected by the financial intelligence systems.

An intelligence report suggests that, the millions were allegedly moved and circulating between Dlamini’s bank accounts at Nedbank, First National Bank (FNB) and Standard Bank.

It has been disclosed that, over R16million was collected by the Interpreter for personal gain within two(2) years claiming the money will be presented to the King as “tetfulo”.

But the report seen by this Swaziland News further suggests that, after the Nedbank intelligence unit reported Dlamini to the then Central Bank Financial Intelligence Unit, the Central Bank subsequently referred the matter to the Anti Corruption Commission for further investigation.

The investigation was subsequently sabotaged after Sihle Dlamini allegedly told the Anti Corruption Commission investigators that, the money was presented to the King and that, Mswati subsequently asked him to bank it in his personal accounts on his behalf.

In fact when referring to the millions in his bank accounts and traced back to the investors, Dlamini is alleged to have told the ACC investigators that, “nawukhandza tinkhomo letisisiwe eSibayeni sami akusho kutsi tami, tisisiwe”.

But worth-noting and subsequent suspicious transactions suggests that, the report suggest that, the King’s Interpreter moved part of the money to the Jeus Calls Worship Centre (JCWC) bank account, he is Pastor at the JCWC and allegedly used the church’s bank accounts as a conduit for corruption and/or money-laundering.

A questionnaire was sent to the King’s Interpreter but, he declined to comment about the allegations of money laundering and using the King’s name to collect bribes from investors.

ACC Spokesperson Jabu Phakathi also declined to comment and, the Anti Corruption Commission normally cites the  Prevention of Corruption Act, restricting the law enforcement institution from commenting about matters before the Commission.

On another note, this publication reported earlier that recently, King Mswati’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, Protocol Officers Prince Mphiwa and Prince Baya, Minerals Board Chairman Prince Guduza and Mswati’s son Prince Lindani allegedly collected over R50million from investors including Mainland China investors, they claimed the money will be presented to King Mswati as “tetfulo”.