By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: International partners who are eager to assist eSwatini in addressing the ongoing health crisis amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, have allegedly stopped Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini from transforming the Central Medical Stores(CMS) to be under the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS(NERCHA).

This comes after this Swaziland News consistently reported that, the PM was allegedly colluding with SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff in plotting to transform the CMS to be under NERCHA, a department within the Office of the Prime Minister, the alleged intention was to loot billions of public and donated funds through drugs supply questionable tenders.

It has been disclosed that,the international partners have been following the matter from this publication and soon thereafter, they threatened to withdraw the financial support if the supply of drugs would be under NERCHA and if the donated funds would be vulnerable and be looted, the international partners want the Central Medical Stores(CMS) to be an independent parastatal and supply public hospitals with drugs.

“A presentation was made before us as Cabinet by the Ministry of Health and that was when the Prime Minister made comments that he wants the CMS or the supply of drugs to be under NERCHA, a department within Office.But he seems to be losing it because international partners who are expected to fund the process of making sure that drugs are available in hospitals, want an independent parastatal. So the process to establish the parastatal will commence soon and we will update you regarding the process”, said a senior Cabinet source.

This publication reported this week that, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini and SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff were plotting a Cabinet reshuffle including reshuffling Principal Secretaries(PSs), the alleged intention “is to then appoint Principal Secretaries who will be loyal to the Ashraff syndicate for purposes of looting public funds through the supply of drugs among others”.

Ashraff through his companies has been implicated in alleged corruption within the Ministry of Health while his alleged friend Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini allegedly failed to account for R210million, as per the report of the Auditor General(AG).

A questionnaire was sent to Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli,however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Friday evening,Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson said,it would be a test case if the intended plot could be successful as the King does not operate like that.

“We are not aware of any counters to that effect.In the unlikely event it happens,it would be a test case.It has never happened before.The King does not operate like that. Suspects are dealt with by the police and the courts.Our experience is that reshuffles of Ministers,Principal Sectetaries and Under Secretaries can only be recommended by the Prime Minister to the Head of State and none other person,should there be operational need in the best interest of the country”, said the King’s Spokesperson.

Kareem Ashraff who allegedly controls the Prime Minister and other Ministers, declined to comment about the matter.

Eswatini is facing a health crisis amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, this was allegedly caused by rampant looting and/or corruption within the public administration, dozens have died since the crisis erupted.