MBABANE: Kareem Ashraff, the SwaziPharm Wholesalers(Pty) Ltd Director has filed an urgent application at the High Court, demanding the release of the investigation report subsequent to an investigation into the ongoing ‘health crisis’.
This comes after this Swaziland News published an investigative story, Ashraff and his SwaziPharm are among the suppliers who stand accused of looting public funds through SwaziPharm thus resulting to the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.
The investigation was conducted by Funduzi Forensic Services, instructed by the Ministry of Finance through the Office of the Auditor General(AG).
In an affidavit filed in court on Tuesday, Jasmine Dlamini from Robison Bertram lawfirm submitted that, the matter was urgent because the Cabinet which is responsible for the report, and at whose instance the report was commissioned, will vacate office on the 27th September 2023 to give way for the national elections to be held on Friday 29th September 2023.
“There is therefore an urgent need for the applicants to have these adverse findings and remarks expunged as early as possible before more damage can be done, especially since there is a reasonable apprehension that the first applicant may suffer reputational damage as well as financial ruin if the allegations of impropriety are not challenged as suppliers and customers alike may be loath to do business with an entity that is accused of wrongdoing at the scale suggested by the press reports”, reads the affidavit in part.
Other applicants in the matter include David Melvin and SwaziPharm Wholesalers.
The Office of the Attorney General(AG), Minister of Health, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of eSwatini, Minister of Finance, Funduzi Forensic Services and the Auditor General(AG) are cited as respondents in the matter.
MULTIMILLION HEALTH CRISIS SCANDAL: SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff runs to court, demands investigation report before Cabinet vacates office in less than twelve(12) hours.