By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini allegedly used over R2million public funds to pay three(3) Zimbabwean fugitives that he uses as his own ‘State Intelligence spies.

The PM did not end there but, colluded with Home Affairs Minister Princess Lindiwe to grant the fugitives diplomatic passports and this means, these alleged fugitives now hold the status of Ambassador, correspond with eSwatini Embassies outside the country while handling sensitive Government issues and that of the institution of the Monarchy.

The fugitives recently arrived in the country to present an intelligence report to the Prime Minister about an alleged cabal plotting to remove the PM from power.

As per the advice of the fugitives, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini subsequently rushed to hold an urgent interview with the Swazi Observer Managing editor Mbongeni Mbingo alleging that, there’s a cabal in the country.

The PM subsequently repeated the statements inside Parliament when questioned by Senator Siphelele Mkhonta saying, he received the information from his Intelligence Unit.

Senator Siphelele who was doubting the credibility of the information asked the Prime Minister to clarify and name the cabal but, the PM failed to expose the names even when challenged inside Parliament where there’s prosecution immunity.

The alleged fugitives who form part of the PM’s ‘State Intelligence’ include Elvis Mugari who now holds a new eSwatini diplomatic passport number 20002600 granted to him by Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Princess Lindiwe, a strategic and close ‘Cabinet ally’ of the PM that he uses to push some of his alleged corrupt dealings.

It has been disclosed that, Elvis Mugari first arrived in the country with Kudakwashe Muchero Male and Simbarashe Muchero Male, met then National Commissioner William Tsintsibala Dlamini and subsequently presented a proposal to work with the National State Intelligence Unit, at the time, Russell Mmiso Dlamini was not the Prime Minister.

An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that, after the appointment of Russell Mmiso Dlamini as the Prime Minister, Lydia Sijabulisile Dlamini, the then Acting National Commissioner took the fugitives to the PM in his capacity as the Minister of Police.

Insiders within the law enforcement agency told this publication that, the then Acting National Commissioner Lydia Dlamini was not aware that, these were fugitives but, she introduced the Zimbabweans to the PM after learning through the late National Commissioner William Dlamini’s records that, there were Zimbabweans who were scheduled to meet a new Prime Minister.

In their presentation, they said as they were known Zimbabwean activists, they have access to eSwatini pro-democracy meetings held outside the country and therefore, will provide first hand intelligence information that will help eSwatini counter the ongoing calls for democratic reforms.

But after the presentation, some senior police officers within the Police Executive Command “who are well trained and have been taking notes while the fugitives were presenting to the PM” immediately developed suspicions thoughts and, subsequently expressed concern to have these Zimbabweans forming part of the State National Intelligence Unit as their credibility remains highly questionable.

As a result, State Intelligence documents in possession of this publication suggest that, on or around 3rd November 2024 and, subsequent to a high level meeting held at the Mbabane Police Headquarters by members of the Executive Command, a background check report outlining the identities of the alleged fugitives was discussed and subsequently presented to the Prime Minister and, it was recommended that, the PM must stop dealing with these Zimbabweans as their credibility remain questionable.

The three are facing crimes in Zimbabwe with Mugari claming to be persecuted by the Emerson Mnangagwa regime for his political beliefs.

But despite the warning from the Police State Intelligence Unit, the Prime Minister allegedly told the Police Executive Command that, he will work with the Zimbabweans as his own ‘State Intelligence Unit’ because he does not trust the State police.

A questionnaire was sent to the Prime Minister but, he declined to comment about the matter, Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo also declined to comment.

Reached for comments this week by this Swaziland News and, when asked if he was working as an Intelligence Officer for the PM, Elvis Mugari denied these allegations saying, he only arrived in eSwatini to update his passport and meet former Labour Minister Lutfo Dlamini not the Prime Minister.

“I’m not part of the Prime Minister’s Intelligence Unit, I only know him through the newspapers. When I’m in eSwatini I normally update my Zimbabwean passport and meet Lutfo Dlamini,” he said.

But when asked to clarify these allegations, former Labour Minister Lutfo Dlamini said, the Zimbabwean must not use him to hide his scandal with the PM adding that, he last saw Elvis Mugari during the Biggest Braai after he introduced himself.

“He just came to introduce himself when attending the Biggest Braai and I don’t know him outside the Biggest Braai.Kusho kutsi nami bekangisesha-ke ngoba nawutsi uyi-intelligence yemuntfu lomdzala sengiyabona,” said the former Labour Minister.

On another note, the three Zimbabweans are now in possession of critical State Security information including secrets of the institution of the Monarchy as the Prime Minister allegedly gave them some information to investigate and verify.

But an investigation conducted by this publication uncovered that, the three(3) Zimbabweans are not credible but, they only identified an opportunity to manipulate the State Security Agency to gain access to the operations of the country and, secure diplomatic passports and other resources so that, they can enjoy diplomatic status and push their secret dealings.

In his social media profile, Simbarashe Muchero Male previously claimed to be a journalist affiliating with “the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and, a Correspondent for Bukedde TV that does not exist”.

On the other hand, Kudakwashe Muchero has been claiming to be a musician while Elvis Mugari would from time to time on social media, update about the plight of Zimbabweans claiming to be actively, fighting for democracy in his home country and persecuted by the Government of President Emerson Mnangagwa.

But despite the fact that, all the alleged fugitives never received intelligence training, they managed to convince Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini that, “they are Intelligence experts and were subsequently awarded diplomatic passports”.

It has been disclosed that, the PM allegedly refused to listen even when told by well-trained and highly experienced senior police officers within the State Intelligence Unit.

An investigation conducted by this publication within the Ministry of Home Affairs Immigration system further uncovered that, on the 17th January 2025 around 6:42pm, Elvis Mugari left eSwatini using his new diplomatic passport number 20002600 granted to him by the Prime Minister who instructed Princess Lindiwe, the Minister of Home Affairs.