Dave Niekerk is allegedly wanted together with prominent Private Investigator Nkosingphile Mbhamali,the Director of Live Watch Security.

It has been disclosed that on Thursday, investigators from the ACC and police officers arrived at Mbhamali’s house-Ezulwini with five(5) cars looking for the private investigator, an alleged right-hand man of the businessman.

Reached for comments on Saturday evening, Mbhamali confirmed that, he was informed by his security guard that,ACC officers and the police arrived with five(5) cars looking for him, he then refereed further comments to his lawyer Kwanele Magagula.

“I can confirm that, ACC officers and the police arrived at my house-Ezulwini looking for me. But you can source a detailed comment from my lawyer,” said the Private Investigator.

But lawyer Kwanele Magagula asked to consult with his client first before commenting about the matter.

The lawyer is alleged to have contacted the ACC to enquire why his client Mbhamali “is wanted by the law enforcement agency” and was told that indeed, the Private Investigator remain wanted. 

“While I respect and honor the good work of journalists across the world,I will have to get a go ahead from him Nkhosi.I am not allowed to share information about a client,lawyer client confidentiality.Can I get hold of him and get back to you Dlamini,” said the lawyer.

It is alleged that,Mbhamali was investigated by the ACC and accused of assisting Dave Niekerk to evade arrest.

Dave Van Niekerk is also alleged to be using Mbhamali’s bank accounts as a conduit,when paying senior officials in Government and other Governing structures and this, triggered the investigation by the ACC.

Senior investigators of the ACC confirmed the matter but said, “such high profile matters are handled by the Task Team established by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini to fight corruption.

“Such high profile matters are handle by the Task Team and we are working on many cases.The Task Team involves the police, ACC and Prosecutors from the DPP.Ngabe ngikuhlebele ngalendzaba naletinye manje sihle sithula-thula ngoba phela lokunye kungasuke kube obvious kutsi ukutsetse kuyiphi ACC investigator. Kuba ncono lelifayela naselihambe lafika etandleni letinengi”,said one of the investigators. 

Jabu Phakathi,the Spokesperson of the Anti Corruption Commission declined to comment regarding the matter.

But on Wednesday,the businessman allegedly held a meeting with Central Bank of Eswatini(CBE) Governor Dr Phil Mnisi and Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg.

Information gathered from high profile State Intelligence sources suggest that, the meeting took place at fourth(4th) Floor Central Bank Building in Mbabane, it started around 12:30pm until 2pm and was meant to discuss among other issues, possible ways of ensuring that, emaSwati who lost their monies at the Ecsponent are paid back what “is due to them”.

The Finance Minister, according to information gathered by this publication, “is then expected to meet King Mswati between Saturday and Tuesday to discuss among others, Government finance issues and insiders alleged that, he will also report the matter regarding the new developments.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, Government officials including State institutions have been divided on whether to arrest businessman Dave Niekerk or not.

The businessman was previously red flagged by the police and other law enforcement agencies but, the Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe allegedly facilitated the removal of the ‘red flag’ through a letter allegedly signed by Mthokozisi Dlamini, the Chief Immigration Officer(CIO).

“This serves to assure you and your family hindrance free entrance to the Kingdom of Eswatini. Our office notes with regret that in your previous attempt to visit and enter the Kingdom you encountered challenges from our officials”, reads the letter in part.

But it is alleged that, what further triggered and intensified the ACC investigation on Mbhamali, that “is allegedly and/or indirectly targeting Dave”, was an alleged bank electronic transfer from Dave to Mbhamali and, from Mbhamali to Bishop Robert Karaso.

The ACC allegedly suspected that, the money was an alleged bribe for Home Affairs Minister Princess Lindiwe,a wife to Karaso and that, it was paid as a token of appreciation for the removal of Dave Niekerk from the “red flag”.

Efforts to reach businessman Dave Viekerk proved unsuccessful at the time of the of compiling this report.

The over R300million Escponent investment scandal is currently being handled by the ACC, the police, Central Bank, Parliament and Cabinet among other institutions.

But all these institutions seem to be divided on whether to arrest Dave or not particularly, after a forensic investigation commissioned by the Central Bank cleared the businessman of any wrongdoing in the over R300million Ecsponent scandal.

This Central Bank report contradicts other previous reports that implicated the businessman in the Ecsponent scandal.