By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Kareem Ashraff,the influential,powerful and politically connected SwaziPharm Director is now safe and might not be arrested for allegedly looting billions within the Ministry of Health,resulting to the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.

State intelligence sources told this Swaziland News that,Kareem Ashraff has been struggling to meet the King but,he eventually gained access and allegedly presented some cash to the absolute Monarch.

It is alleged that,after meeting the King who officially opened his Union Papers and Power Pack Africa about two(2) weeks ago,Ashraff allegedly told his trusted ally in the Judiciary Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala that his job “is now safe as the King has been sorted with cash and is now on their side”.

The Ashraff powerful and alleged corrupt syndicate that is now highly expected to run the country after winning the King with cash,include Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini,Commerce Minister Mancoba Khumalo,Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala,King’s Private Secretary Mbongeni Simelane, Labour Minister Phila Buthelezi and others within the army, police and other State institutions.

“Kareem Ashraff and his syndicate is now fully in charge of this country after winning the King with cash.The past few months,there was a plot to arrest him but that might not happen anymore.After winning the King,he then successfully mitigated the efforts to remove the Chief Justice because for him to evade the arrest,he must have the Chief Justice in that position and on his side. The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) Lomvula Hlophe and the Justice Minister Prince Simelane are straight forward not engaging in corruption but with the Chief Justice above them,the Acting DPP won’t do anything to Ashraff despite the fact that,the investigation was concluded. So now they are in charge. Ngukhatsi utobona corruption mbamba-ke nyalo lakaNgwane”,said the source within the State Intelligence Unit.

SwaziPharm Director Ashraff declined to comment about the matter.

But King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane clarified earlier that,the meeting between King Mswati and Ashraff particularly the opening of his companies by the King will not affect the operations of the law enforcement agencies.

“Eswatini has very clear policies on the operation of the law enforcement agents,strong enough not to be intimidated by power.As a journalist myself,I once covered incidents where police officers had arrested their Commissioner,a Prime Minister and another Police Commissioner.The same applies to our courts.By law,they are independent and they hand down judgements professionally.This has earned Eswatini’s Judges respect internationally.Some of them are holding global Judiciary related positions”,said the King’s Spokesperson.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo declined to comment regarding the allegations involving Cabinet in the alleged State capture orchestrated by the Indonesian businessman.

SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff and his powerful syndicate stands accused of looting billions of public funds,resulting to the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.