MBABANE:Kareem Ashraff is allegedly making attempts to meet King Mswati for protection amid investigations into the health crisis and/or shortage of drugs in public hospitals, royal insiders told this publication this week.
The troubled businessman stands accused of using about ten(10) different companies to loot millions of public funds, resulting to the shortage of drugs in hospitals,hundreds have died since the crisis erupted.
It could not be ascertained if the businessman will eventually meet the King as he is highly expected to go into seclusion as part of the upcoming Incwala ritual ceremony.
A questionnaire was sent to the SwaziPharm Director,however,she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
But the businessman,who doubles as the Indonesian Consular previously told this publication that he was under pressure with lot of court cases adding that,he will speak to this Swaziland News after the court cases.
“Mr Martin I am under pressure, so many things are happening in my life.I have court cases, let’s wait for the court processes, then I will speak to you,”said the SwaziPharm Director.
An investigation by this publication is ongoing to ascertain if King Mswati through Ashraff is directly or indirectly linked to the disappearance of millions in the Ministry of Health.
Reached for comments by this publication on Wednesday,Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson said,he was not aware that the businessman was making attempts to meet the King but, should he “wants to seek an audience with the Monarch, the King has an open door policy” subject to protocols.
“We are not aware of Mr Ashraff's moves to see the King and are also not aware of any charges against him for the alleged involvement in drug shortages in our hospitals.The King has an open door policy but it is not as open as a barn door.Intended audiences with the King are cleared somewhere down the chain of command.Before that clearance it will be difficult to tell if indeed the audience in question shall take place,” said the King’s Spokesperson.
On another note,Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo recently released a statement where he stated categorically that,the ‘health crisis’ investigation report won’t be released to the public but, it will be analysed by the law enforcement and other relevant stakeholders.
“Government has noted the huge public interest on the matter of the forensic audit investigation report on the medicinal drugs shortage in the country.Government is also aware of the concerns expressed by some members of the public and the media regarding the release of the report and its findings to the public.On that note, Government wishes to state that: The forensic investigation report by Funduzi Forensic Services was submitted to the Office of the Auditor General. The next step for the Auditor General is to distribute this report to the relevant stakeholders, which in this case include the Royal Eswatini Police Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Civil Service Commission,Cabinet and Parliament.The contents of the report cannot,therefore,be shared with the public at this point”, reads the statement in part.
King Mswati and businessman Kareem Ashraff.