By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Kerrem Ashraf, the powerful and politically connected Indonesian Consular who owns SwaziPharm Wholesalers(Pty) Ltd, is allegedly the mastermind behind the multi-million drugs shortage fraud and corruption scandal within the Ministry of Health.

The Indonesian Consulor who allegedly holds a questionable diplomatic passport, was according to a separate investigation, previously linked to the looting of public funds within the Ministry of Defense and Security where he was supplying army uniforms including arms and ammunitions.

Now, preliminary findings of a high level investigation conducted by this Swaziland News into the health crisis, uncovered emails and corrupt bank transactions where Ashraf through SwaziPharm was allegedly bribing senior officials within the Ministry of Health.

It has been disclosed that,after realizing that the Ministry of Finance through the office of the Auditor General(AG) and subsequent to Parliament recommendations, had vigorously launched an investigation into the health crisis, Kereem Ashraf allegedly stretched his financially muscle,supporting the suspects in the Ministry of Health, to take the legal route in a desperate attempt to halt and discredit the process of establishing the truth behind the health crisis.

The investigation was conducted by Funduzi Forensic Services, a South African investigation company contracted by the Office of the Auditor General(AG) Timothy Matsebula, it’s terms of reference was to, among others, investigate the circumstances surrounding the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.

Evidence analyses suggests that, on Wednesday(02 August 2023) as the investigation into the health crisis intensifies with Ashraf escalating moves to discredit the process, a brief power struggle erupted within Cabinet with Ashraf’s sympathizers attempting to suggest that, the investigation must be stopped as the process was no longer credible enough to produce a comprehensive report.

But Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg, the political head of the Office of the Auditor General(AG) vigorously or strongly opposed the suggestion,seeking to halt the investigation that was at a critical stage.

As as result, Minister Neal Rijikernberg rushed to issue a press statement restoring the credibility of the investigation.

This comes after Kereem Ashraf and his alleged corrupt political syndicate linked to the Procurement Department within the Ministry of Health, claimed that Charles Kwezera, one of the investigators demanded a bribe.

Even though the veracity of the allegations against the investigator were never tested in court, Charles Kwezera was removed from the investigation team to restore the credibility of the investigation.

“The remaining Funduzi team are seasoned professionals,consisting of, amongst others, an Advocate of the South African High Court, a Medical Doctor, a Senior Pharmacist, Senior Forensic Practitioners and Forensic Accountants”, reads the statement in part released by the Finance Minister.

But the sequence of events as reflected in the evidence suggests that, political temperatures reached the boiling point, as on the very same day(02 August 2023), and/or shortly after Finance Minister restored the credibility of the investigation,Kereem Ashraf of SwaziPharm Wholesalers was removed as a supplier of drugs within government hospitals.

The documents disclose that subsequent to a failure to adhere to tendering requirements, SwaziPharm, a medical company that has been a major supplier of drugs to government for more than fifteen(15) years was ‘removed’ together with other suppliers that include IMED,MASI,MVJ, MS Industries,Top EMS and KZM Investment among others.

The decision to remove SwaziPharm Wholesalers was communicated by Dr Simon Zwane, the then Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Health through Tender No 14 for the 2023/2024 financial year.

But a week later on the 9th August 2023, Dr Zwane who, himself is a subject of the intensive investigation, was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Zwane’s removal as PS in the Ministry of Health and his subsequent transfer was announced by Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini during a press conference, he was with lawyer Simanga Mamba, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission(CSC).

It has been disclosed that, Dr Zwane’s transfer was a systematic removal, as his workplace was identified as a ‘crime scene’ and there were fears that, he might temper with evidence and compromise or jeopardize the process of the investigation.

Reached for comments, Dr Simon Zwane, the then PS in the Ministry of Health asked not to comment, saying investigations were ongoing into health crisis.

“Good day Mr Dlamini.Thank you for your questions. May not respond to these as there is an ongoing forensic audit on same”, said the Principal Secretary(PS) when responding to this publication this week.

But after being removed as a supplier, and upon receiving intelligence information suggesting that, the report might be released soon, Kereem Ashraf through his SwaziPharm, released a press statement this week, claiming the eSwatini Government was owing his company R54million.

The businessman who stands accused of looting millions of public funds with impunity through tenders, suggested a dialogue with government.

“Swazipharm has a long standing and cogent contractual relationship with the Eswatini Government and in particular the Ministry of Health. As a local company we are cognizant of the difficulties that are often faced by Government in the procurement of medical drugs and have always been committed to assisting Government in this respect. Whilst it is correct that there is a historical debt in terms of which we are owed in excess of E54million, that notwithstanding, we have continued to supply Government and at present have partially delivered recent orders amounting to E2million”, reads the statement in part.

Reached for comments on Wednesday evening, Kereem Ashraf listened while this investigative journalist was introducing himself but subsequently, he terminated the conversation upon hearing the nature of the questions.

“I can’t hear you!, I can’t hear”, said the SwaziPharm Director who subsequently failed to respond to a detailed questionnaire sent to him on the subject matter.

But it appeared that Ashraf was either previously working closely with one David Melvin, the then Swazi Pharm Chief Executive Officer(CEO) or inherited his line of network within the Ministry of Health.

David Melvin failed to clarify if he was still part of SwaziPharm Management when asked to respond to this publication on Wednesday evening.

But insiders in the corridors of power accused Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi of having a direct and/or indirect corrupt relationship with Ashraf and other suppliers and as a result, failed to take urgent action even after the matter was consistently raised by Parliament subsequent, to a series of media reports and protests by health workers.

Speaking to this publication, Mayibongwe Masangwane, the Secretary General (SG) of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union(SWADNU) shared the same sentiments, he said it was clear that Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi was aware of the alleged corrupt syndicate but, she opted to keep quiet or mislead the Nation about the crisis.

“It’s clear that the Minister was either aware or part of the syndicate because everytime when complaints were raised, she would mislead the Nation and downplay the seriousness of the health crisis,” said the Nurses Union Secretary General.

But at this juncture, no documentary evidence or proof of transactions linking the Minister to the powerful alleged corrupt syndicate, she denied having a relationship with SwaziPharm Director Kereem Ashraf or any of the suppliers.

“I have no relations with any suppliers”,said the Minister of Health when responding to this publication on Wednesday.

It could not be ascertained why the Health Minister opted to downplay the crisis, despite consistent demands for drugs in hospitals by the health workers union and other stakeholders.

But evidence in our possession suggest that, Kereem Ashraf’s SwaziPharm was allegedly using different corrupt strategies to defraud the Government millions of public funds, at some point he would collude with Sincedile Dlamini, the Principal Procurement Officer in the Ministry of Health to deliberately disregard purchase orders and supply more medical equipment and/or drugs that were due to expire.

As a result, some of the drugs were subsequently destroyed even before it could reach government hospitals but, the invoices would be processed and paid at the Treasury Department.

Sincendile Dlamini, the Chief Procurement Officer in the Ministry of Health who, according to emails in our possession “is allegedly one of the ‘masterminds’ who was colluding with suppliers,” has been suspended pending an investigation into the health crisis.

Responding to a detailed questionnaire from this Swaziland News, Scendile Dlamini, the Chief Procurement Officer in the Ministry of Health confirmed that, she was under suspension amid an investigation into the health crisis and as a result, she was restricted from responding to the media regarding the ongoing investigation. 

“Good morning Mr Dlamini.I am currently on suspension as per letter that forensic investigations are currently underway in the procurement department and I am not allowed to discuss work related matters.Further I have taken the matter to Court and since it’s pending in court I cannot comment at this stage,” said the Chief Procurement Officer.

It has been disclosed that, as the investigations intensify, Sincedile Dlamini was suspended together with Fortunate Bhembe, the Deputy Director Pharmaceuticals.

Efforts to reach Fortunate Bhembe, the Deputy Director Pharmaceuticals proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments, Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson said, they have always maintained that,drugs shortages in public hospitals were not caused by the King’s insensitivity to life but, ghost operations and daylight thefts that benefits people.

“We still believe that drug shortages in our hospitals are not at all caused by the King’s insensitivity to life but ghost operations and daylight thefts that benefit people still to be officially identified.There has always been a budget for drugs every year,  calculated from scientific estimates. It was therefore nind-bottling  that shortages had become part of our lives. Politicizing drug shortages in our hospitals has  delayed dealing with it head-on. We, however, are confident that the time for the axe to fall is now, and when it does, the world won’t miss it.Someone must account for both the corruption that results in drug shortages in our hospitals and the daylight theft before,during,and after deliveries,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

The health crisis triggered a series of protest organized by the Swaziland United Democratic Front(SUDF), a coalition of pro-democracy groups in the Kingdom of eSwatini.

Lucky Dlamini, the SUDF Chairperson described what was happening in the Ministry of Health as the highest degree of corruption adding that, as pro-democracy groups, they hoped government will implement the findings and recommendations of the investigation report.

“This is the highest degree of corruption, we hope the recommendations of the report will be implemented”, said the SUDF Chairperson.

An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News further uncovered evidence suggesting that, as part of the looting of public funds by Ashraf’s SwaziPharm, on or around 2022, the multi-millionaire businessman allegedly colluded with Sincedile Dlamini, the Chief Procurement Officer to defraud government about R6million.

This comes after the Procurement Officer ordered ten thousand(10000)-two(2) litres of CMS but, Ashraf’s SwaziPharm delivered one hundred thousand(100000) and demanded the extra payment of the nine-thousand(90000) CMS that were never ordered thus defrauding the State or Government the said amount.

But apart from her alleged links with Ashraf, it appeared that Sincedile Dlamini, the Chief Procurement Officer assisted other suppliers to defraud the government and/or the Ministry of Health.

Emails uncovered by this Swaziland News during the course of this independent investigation suggest that, on or around the 14th January 2022, officials from Lifespan Pharmacist, a Medical Company owned by businesswoman Zinhle Matsebula facilitated a meeting with the Chief Procurement Officer.

According to the emails, the purpose of the alleged meeting that was subsequently held 28th January 2022, was to discuss how the Chief Procurement Officer could assist Lifespan and/or Cerium Scientific flout or adhere to the procurement processes to win tenders, in return, Dlamini was to receive alleged ‘bribes’ as per what appeared to be an agreement between her and the supplier.

“I would like to inform you about the discussion had during my meeting with Make Sincedile as we discussed the development of the Procurement plan along with the supply chain, items discussed for what the procurement plan will need include: threshold of buying. Budget.List of items to be procured. Requisition until contract procedure”, reads the email from the Cerium Scientific and/or Lifespan Administrator’s Office addressed to Director Zinhle Matsebula.

As a result of the alleged collusion and subsequent to the meeting between businesswoman Zinhle Matsebula’s company and the Chief Procurement Officer, Matsebula through her alternative company, Cerium Scientific, managed to win the largest ever multimillion tender to supply drugs in hospitals, this contained in Tender No 14  for the 2023/2024 financial year, signed on the 02 August 2023 by the then Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Simon Zwane.

Cerium Scientific has replaced the recently removed supplier, Swazi Pharm Wholesalers(Pty) Ltd as Government largest supplier of drugs.

Responding to this Swaziland News, businesswoman Zinhle Matsebula denied being involved in any irregularities in the tendering process within the Ministry of Health but confirmed that,she knew the Chief Procurement Officer at professional level.

“I am a Pharmacist by profession and met and became acquainted with Ms Sincedile Dlamini whilst I was employed at the Eswatini Government (Central Medical Stores).The relationship is collegial and nothing more.I refute in the strongest terms the insinuation that I am involved in malfeasance in the tender processes.I hold several degrees from reputable universities which gives me adequate capacity to excel in what I’m doing.If you know exactly what goes into preparation of medical supplies tender, you will have an idea that there is no way an industry expert can be assisted by a Procurement Specialist,” said the businesswoman when responding to this publication on the subject matter.

The Cerium Scientific Director alleged that, her company was receiving government tenders for the first time without disclosing that, she was actually dealing with the Ministry of Health with her separate or alternative company Lifespan Pharmacist.

Reached for comments, Khanya Mabuza, the newly appointed Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Health said, the forensic investigation report will be released soon.

“The report will be released soon and be analyzed to ascertain if further steps could be taken against those implicated. I have been formally informed that, we will soon hold a meeting to discuss the findings together with other stakeholders that include the office of the Attorney General(AG)”, said the PS in the Ministry of Health.