By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Sipho Mthethwa,the Chief Investigator of the Anti-Corruption Commission(ACC) allegedly allocated himself a South African trip to collect State cars from service in Nelsprit-South Africa with an alleged intention to loot public funds.

This disclosure comes a few days after this publication exposed how the Chief Investigator who allegedly earns less than five thousand Rands(R5000.00) as a salary after deductions now survives with alleged bribes and international trips and, there’s overwhelming evidence substantiating that,Mthethwa allocates himself trips with intend to loot public funds and sustain his lavish or extravagant lifestyle.

Documentary evidence in possession of this Swaziland News suggests that,on or around 27th April 2023,Mthethwa allocated the trip to himself and close friends within the ACC being Vulindlela Dlamini and Nyatsi Ndwandwe,the three(3) collectively shared sixteen thousand,one hundred and forty Rands(R16,140.00) for a one(1) day trip that was supposed to benefit ACC drivers as collecting cars from service does not fall under the scope of duties for investigators but drivers.

“This trip was supposed to be allocated to the drivers nabo bakho-tsakhotse ngoba akwenteki bagibele letindiza batfole labo R100,000.00 each trip njengabo-Mthethwa kodvwa kuphi lana, loko kwe-trip lokuncane lokuya lapha e-Nelsprit wakutsatsa Mthethwa badla nebangani bakhe because of greediness.Ingenakuphi nje investigator ekulandzeni timoto ngoba loko ngumsebenti wa-driver. Corruption is rife in that ACC office and as you continue digging you will be shocked”, said an insider.

But more State documents in possession of this publication further suggest that,Mthethwa is benefiting millions of public funds by manipulating such trips, other international trips pay him more than one hundred thousand Rands(R100,000.00) each and, with the Anti Corruption Commission failing to fight corruption,public funds are being looted with impunity.

An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that, on or around 27th April 2023 and subsequent to a requisition process triggered by the ACC Chief Investigator and his friends within the ACC,Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu,the then Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs wrote to Cleopas Dlamini,the then Prime Minister,requesting the approval of the said amount to enable the investigators to collect the cars from the service in Nelsprit-South Africa.

This was after the ACC investigators allegedly tricked the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister saying they wanted to spend a night in Nelspruit just for collecting the cars.

Worth-noting,it’s a 2hour,30minutes drive from Mbabane to Nelsprit and this,means the investigators would have travelled in the morning and returned in the afternoon,the very same day.

“The Honorable Prime Minister will remember that a few years ago, the current ACC Commissioner was shot at by hijackers in South Africa while being driven on a Volkswagen car while he was on official trip in South Africa from collecting his Visa.Driving at night also becomes a risk as the officers have to drive at high speed which can attract over-speeding traffic offenses and penalties or even worse,it may attract car accidents.In an effort to mitigate these risks,it is recommended that the one night will cater for the envisaged risks”, reads a minute signed by the then Justice Minister Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu.

Both Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo and ACC PRO Jabu Phakathi declined to comment about the allegations.

Reached for comments on Friday evening,Brian Sangweni,the National Spokesperson of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said,the corruption within the ACC might have been triggered by the fact that,the investigators have realized that they can’t fight corruption because the whole Tinkhundla system is corrupt.

“What is happening within the Anti Corruption is a clear indication that, the investigators have realized that they can’t fight corruption because the whole Tinkhundla system is corrupt. So they have decided to join those who are corrupt and enrich themselves”, said the PUDEMO National Spokesperson.

The ACC has been failing to prosecute alleged corrupt individuals in the country and allegations subsequently emerged suggesting that,the ACC investigators are taking bribes to sabotage corruption cases while targeting political enemies of the powerful and politically connected,in an effort to enhance competence of the law enforcement institution and inspire public confidence.