MBABANE: Kareem Ashraff,the influential, powerful and politically connected SwaziPharm Director, allegedly used his alternative company AvaPharm(PTY) LTD to loot about R200million in a highly questionable tender to supply the Ministry of Health with Antiretrovirals(ARVs).
It has been disclosed through vigorous investigations conducted by this Swaziland News that, apart from using SwaziPharm to allegedly loot or defraud the State millions of public funds, businessman Kareem Ashraff used various companies that include TSS Medical(PTY) LTD, AvaPharm(PTY) LTD and other entities whose identities cannot be disclosed for now pending the ongoing investigations.
But an independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News, uncovered ‘fresh’ documentary evidence suggesting that,on or around 13th May 2020, businessman Kareem Ashraff allegedly took advantage of the erupted COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently colluded with Fortunate Bhembe, the Deputy Director Pharmaceutical in the Ministry of Health to facilitate an advance payment amounting to One hundred and ninety-six million, three hundred and fifty thousand, One hundred and twenty-three Rands, twenty-four cents(R196,350 123,24).
An advance payment is the type of payment that is made to a supply for undelivered or before the delivery of goods or services.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Saturday afternoon, Khanya Mabuza,the Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Health confirmed knowledge of the matter adding that,the questionable transaction was a subject of an investigation.
“I can confirm knowledge of the said transaction and we are trying to investigate the circumstances surrounding this payment.Maybe, if you can contact the Ministry of Finance as you conduct your investigations because there was no way such agreement to pay the supplier could be made without the involvement of the Finance”, said the Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Health.
But Sizakele Dlamini,the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance when asked to clarify the questionable transaction, referred comments back to the PS in the Ministry of Health, her justification was that, she was out of the country and not in the office where she could access documents in order to respond accordingly.
“Good evening Nkhosi.Please send questions to PS Health.I’d have to check in the office and unfortunately it’s a weekend and I’m not in the country,” said the PS in the Ministry of Finance.
Responding to this Swaziland News, Kareem Ashraff maintained that,he will speak to this publication after the ongoing court cases regarding the investigation into the health crisis.
“I will speak to you after the court cases”, said the AvaPharm Director who is a subject of an investigation into the health crisis.
But documentary evidence in our possession further suggests that,on or around the 13th May 2020,shortly after Parliament passed the 2020/2021 budget, Fortunate Bhembe, the Deputy Director Pharmaceutical Services wrote a minute to then Principal Secretary(PS) Dr Simon Zwane requesting the advance payment and in the document, Bhembe motivated the request for the release of the public funds by citing what appeared to be global supply chain challenges after the eruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to kindly request for an advance payment of the Antiretroviral Medicines for a quarter one and two to the amount E195,331,053.81 to be divided into two separate orders.The initial order to the amount of E68,610,756.31 will utilize the quarter one(1) funds that have been release for the ARVs. The second order to the amount of E127,739,399.93 requires an early release of quarter 2&3 funds against ARV budget for this financial year,” reads the minute in part signed by Fortunate Bhembe,the Deputy Director Pharmaceutical in the Ministry of Health.
Bhembe failed to respond to a questionnaire from this publication when asked to clarify the questionable circumstances surrounding the advance payment.
But close analysis of the document allegedly requesting the payment suggest that, the accuracy of the figures were questionable and the payment request went via the Office of the Financial Controller in the Ministry of Health.
Eswatini is facing a health crisis and/or shortage of drugs after the alleged looting of millions of public funds by suppliers,hundred of emaSwati have died within the various public health institutions since the crisis erupted.
Neal Rijikernberg,the then Minister of Finance through the Office of the Auditor General(AG) Timothy Matsebula launched an intensive investigation into the health crisis subsequent to Parliament recommendations.
Businessman Kareem Ashraff.