MBABANE:Kareem Ashraff, the influential, powerful and politically connected SwaziPharm Director is allegedly linked to a syndicate plotting to take over the Luke Commission.
It has been disclosed that, Ashraff who allegedly wants to transform the health facility into a Private Hospital,sent individuals to engage the Directors of the Luke Commission but, the Directors refused to sell the Hospital that was registered as a Non Governmental Organization(NGO) and a non-profit entity.
Echo Vanderwal,the Executive Director of the Luke Commission confirmed to this Swaziland News through her Spokesperson that, she was flooded with requests from people who “wants to buy the Hospital, she did not confirm or deny” that, Kareem Ashraff was behind this.
“But we can clarify that,the Luke Commission is not for sale,” she said.
SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff declined to comment about the matter.
On another note,the Luke Commission has been frustrated by individuals within Government linked to Ashraff who were working towards collapsing the health facility, with an alleged intention to then buy it at a cheaper price.
The Luke Commission was relying heavily on donors but, due to the high demand for health services in eSwatini amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, the health facility subsequently ran out of resources and was shutdown temporarily.
This comes after an Executive Order signed by United States(US) President Donald Trump halting donor funding while on the other hand, the eSwatini Government has been refusing to support the Hospital.
The Luke Commission not for sale, Directors say.