MBABANE:Kareem Ashraff,the SwaziPharm Director who is allegedly implicated in the looting of over R600million drugs within the Ministry of Health resulting to the health crisis,was last week,allegedly raided by State police officers at his residence in the capital city Mbabane.
A questionnaire was sent to Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati,however,she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
The alleged raiding was confirmed by a senior politician who alerted this Swaziland News, Ashraff was exposed by this publication in a series of articles for allegedly looting public funds.
Documentary evidence substantiates how the SwaziPharm Director,through his alternative company AvaPharm(PTY) LTD allegedly manipulated the procurement process within the Ministry of Health to loot about R200million in a highly questionable tender to supply the Ministry of Health with Antiretrovirals(ARVs).
“Last week,the police went to search his house”, said the insider.
When this publication contacted some police detectives,one of the investigators said, even though he was not sure about the raiding, he was only aware of a task team based at the Police Headquarters commanded to investigate Kareem Ashraff.
“I’ve been told that there’s a task team from the Headquarters but abati if there was a raid”, said the detective who was asked by this journalist to verify the information with the relevant police departments.
But the powerful political figure who is very close to the matter,said the police are continuing with an investigation on Ashraff.
“You cannot just investigate Ashraff. Obviously,it’s clear who might have commissioned the investigation because he is angry after media reports accused him of stealing money for drugs in hospitals, he wants the truth to come out”, said the insider.
When this publication contacted Kareem Ashraf for a comment, he declined to comment.
On another note,the SwaziPharm Director recently donated drugs and other medical supplies worth R1.8million to the Ministry of Health but, it later transpired that some of the drugs had ‘expired’ and were rejected at the Central Medical Stores(CMS).
It remains to be seen if the police investigation will produce positive results as Kareem Ashraff is powerful with an influence in Cabinet,the police,judiciary, Parliament and the army among other State institutions.
Some of his alleged friends include Commerce Minister Mancoba Khumalo,Deputy Prime Minister(DPM)Thulisile Dladla and Chief Justice(CJ) Bheki Maphalala among others.
But Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo recently told the media that, Government was in good terms with the SwaziPharm Director and appreciate the working relationship.
SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff.