By Zweli Martin Dlamini

When a whole Head of State behaves in a manner that undermines the rule of law and, compromises the functioning of the law enforcement agencies in combating corruption, we have a reason to be worried.

Clearly, it seems Mswati’s absolute power could be manipulated by anyone with money, even high profile suspects have identified the King’s weakness when it comes to money and, manipulating that to their advantage.

David Van Niekerk, one of the main ‘suspects’ in the widely publicized R340million Escponent scandal, held a meeting with the King at the height of a high level investigation by law enforcement agencies, pictures were then shared where Niekerk was seen brushing King Mswati’s shoulders.

It then transpired that,Niekerk actually paid over R1million as a bribe just for that picture which, in my view, was to be used to indirectly intimidate law enforcement agencies and other State institutions working on the Escponent matter.

Without disregarding the principles of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, it is important to state that, King Mswati has adopted a tendency of incubating suspected criminals and manipulate such unfortunate situations where ordinary citizens lost their money, for his own benefit or personal gain.

Ordinary citizens lost millions at Ecsponent and when these victims browse online and/or the print media and see the King smiling with a suspect, what does that mean?.

Well,I fully understand the fact that, in Siswati, anyone can meet the King whether you are a suspect or not but, it seems King Mswati is manipulating our culture and his absolute power for corrupt gains.

We can’t have individuals suspected of wrongdoing, bribing the King for alleged protection and then,hide in the name of Eswatini culture to incubate a clear act of corruption.

The truth is; Mswati is a ‘mafia’ as almost all corrupt transactions in this country will lead the Anti Corruption Commission(ACC) to Lozitha Palace and as an investigative journalist, I wasn’t surprised upon discovering that he was paid by David Van Niekerk for alleged protection.

But what is also more concerning is the conduct of the Anti Corruption Commission, the ACC wanted to arrest private detective Nkosingiphile Mbhamali and “make him scapegoat” in this Ecsponent mess.

Despite the fact that,Mbhamali met the King and perhaps, may have facilitated David Van Niekerk meeting with Mswati,the ACC is absolutely wrong to target him instead of the main suspects including senior Government officials and Cabinet Ministers.

It is absurd for the ACC to arrest a ‘security guard’ as a scapegoat for alleged crimes committed by those who hired the security guard to provide security and be stationed at the entrance of their home, this is what the ACC is trying to do, targeting a ‘small’ fish because their net is not capable or well-equipped to catch the big fish.

After we published the story exposing how Mswati and Princess Lindiwe were allegedly bribed by David Van Niekerk through Nkosingiphile Mbhamali, the Home Affairs Minister was busy making calls to high profile individuals on Monday,the ACC must investigate what the Princess was discussing after reading the story,I cannot do their job while they are snoring.

It is surprising to note that in this country, when crimes of such magnitude “have been committed” those in power incubate alleged thieves instead of demonstrating willingness to assist the law enforcement agencies.

Princess Lindiwe is another person of interest, she must explain the circumstances that resulted to her lifting the ‘red flag’ against the R340million Ecsponent suspect particularly because, there are allegations suggesting that, she received three hundred thousand Rands(R300,000.00) as a bribe to take that decision in favour of Dave.

It cannot be right to see high profile individuals undermining the functioning of law enforcement agencies by cashing on suspects, with a whole Head of State allowing himself to be dragged into this corruption mess.