By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:The Anti Corruption Commission(ACC) is allegedly armed with warrants of arrest for high profile people, some will be thrown behind bars after the King officially announced the end of the annual Incwala ritual ceremony.

Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala, Civil Service Commission(CSC) Chairman Simanga Mamba, Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo, SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff, Principal Secretary(PS) in the Prime Minister’s Office Bertram Steward, former Justice Minister Ndumiso Mamba, Zimbabwean businessman and Escponent Director George Manyere are among high profile individuals allegedly investigated by the Anti Corruption Commission as per information leaked to this Swaziland News by investigators of the ACC.

But it appeared that, some of the investigations “are politically motivated” and/or were allegedly commissioned by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini.

The PM is allegedly facing resistance within Cabinet and the entire Government system with key institutions or influential individuals, opposing his policies and criticizing his leadership style.

This publication recently exposed a plot confirmed through documentary evidence, to arrest Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala “who is also wanted out by a powerful political syndicate allegedly linked to PM Russell Mmiso Dlamini. 

But it remains unclear if the ACC will succeed in arresting some of these high profile people with allegations suggesting that, some of the investigations were allegedly commissioned by the Prime Minister who even deployed some police officers to the ACC on secondment.

Now, with the PM doubling as the Minister of Police, it has been disclosed that, the police officers who are members of the Anti Corruption Commission Task Team report to the PM through the State Intelligence Agency.

It is alleged that, the PM receives weekly intelligence reports from the police and the meetings normally take place around 11pm at the Cabinet Offices in Mbabane.

Both Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo and ACC Communications Director Jabu Phakathi declined to comment about the matter.

But in the matter of the Attorney General(AG) Sifiso Khumalo, this publication has gathered that, the Prime Minister is allegedly “complaining that Khumalo is controlling some Government Ministries through the various Legal Advisors who report to the AG’s Office.

Attorney General Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo commands huge influence in the entire Government as some decisions cannot be taken or implemented without his advice or approval as the Principal Government Legal Advisor.

Furthermore PM is allegedly grounded and unable to perform some of his duties as the AG and some powerful individuals within Cabinet vigorously oppose some of his policies.

On the other hand, Simanga Mamba, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission commands power as the employer of Government, the PM cannot reshuffle or fire Principal Secretaries without consulting Mamba who will then seek approval from King Mswati.

As a result,the ACC might be used to fight looming ‘dirty political wars’ among key loyalists of the Tinkhundla system amid a power struggle within the corridors of power.

Reached for comments on Friday, lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said, the Anti Corruption Commission must arrest all individuals suspected of engaging in corrupt activities but, he warned that the law enforcement institution must remain independent and without political influence.

“It’s within the mandate of the ACC to arrest individuals suspected of engaging in corruption but, the law enforcement institution must remain independent and fulfill its mandate outside political influence”, said the lawyer.

Worth-noting, some of investigations against high profile individuals are allegedly conducted secretly such that, a few senior investigators within the ACC have access to the files. 

But despite the confidentiality and sensitivity of the investigations, the Prime Minister allegedly receives update reports and he even cited the number of cases investigated and concluded when delivering the Government Performance Report last week.