By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Michello Shakantu,the Inyatsi Group Executive Director was investigated by the Eswatini Financial Intelligence Unit(SFIU) on suspicious bank transactions amounting to over R1billion.

This is contained in a bundle of documents in possession of the Swazi Secrets,a unit of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists(ICIJ),the documents contain reports from the Financial Intelligence Unit.

“Following your letter dated 30 April 2019,with reference HQ.7950 requesting the SFIU to share financial information of Mr Michelo Shakantu. The SFIU sent a response with References ISSS/SFIU REQ0001/19 dated 01 May 2019 and another one dated 17 October 2019, however,new information has been received from our foreign counterparts which we believe can be used for intelligence purposes.Our foreign counterparts were also made aware of suspicious transactions and activities potentially involving Mr Shakantu”,reads part of the documents in a report compiled by Fitzgerald. A. Graham, the Director of Eswatini Financial Intelligence Unit(EFIU) and directed to the State Security Agency.

The reports cite various transactions allegedly made by the Inyatsi Group boss.

“Mr Shakantu’s Nedbank Account (1684146186), for the period of 14 December 2009 to 02 January 2019 received a total credit of E 98 091 493.49 and total debits of E 98 021 375.98.The highest credit amounted to E 5 000 623.66 referenced “CAP JUSTINVEST 360332149998” on 05 February 2013.The highest debit was E 5 014 158.44 referenced “412460119998” on 05 February 2013.2 credits totalling E 841 212.70 were referenced “IC Salary – Nov18 and IC Salary- Dec 18”.104 credits amounting to E 8 757 750.00 were referenced “Malambo”. 4 credits amounting to E 5 510 000.00 were referenced “Inyatsi Construction, 84 credits amounting to E 45 372 640.69 were referenced CAP JUSTINVEST,CAP Money trader and CAP Platinum. 11 Debits amounting to E 2 875 000.00 were referenced “Malambo Shakantu/ Malambo”7 debits totalling to E 5 500 000.00 were referenced “SV Mdladla”, 6 debits amounting to E 4 260 000.00 were referenced “Mrs Mafokwane / Collette Mafokwane”126 debits totalling E1 175 720.40 were referenced charge chq cashed”,reads the Financial Intelligence report in part.

Efforts to reach Shakantu proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

The International Consortium of Investigative journalists received thousands of documents from the Eswatini Financial Intelligence Unit, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini informed the Nation that Government will deal with those who leaked the information.