By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Vusi Masango, the National Commissioner of Police has been exposed in a high level secretive communication with powerful and politically connected businessman of Indonesian origin Kareem Ashraff who bribed the Executive Command and now, using the State law enforcement institution as his own ‘private investigation agency’ in collecting information to fight those exposing his alleged corruption in the public administration.

As a result, Masango acting on an order from the businessman who allegedly captured strategic institutions of the State, allegedly instructed Regional Commissioner Sikhumbuzo Fakudze to write a letter to Parliament Speaker Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza through Clerk to Parliament, pretending to be requesting a record of proceedings on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) yet, he was collecting the information for Ashraff who intends to launch both criminal defamation and civil proceedings  against Funduzi Forensic Services.

“We kindly request the Public Accounts Committee’s(PAC’s) record of proceedings or minutes wherein the Directors of Swazi Pharm were summoned and appeared before the PAC. The reason for the request of the minutes is to assist the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) to formulate a well-founded legal opinion, as one of the Directors of Swazi Pharm intends to institute criminal proceedings of defamation against Funduzi Forensic Services”, reads the memorandum in part dated 1st July 2025 and signed by Assistant Superintendent M.E Dlamini on behalf of the Regional Commissioner Ashraff.

But it has been disclosed that, apart from instituting the criminal defamation proceedings against Funduzi Forensic Science, Ashraff allegedly wants to sue the forensic company and it’s Directors for exposing him on alleged stealing of billions of public funds within the Ministry of Health, resulting to the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.

Dozens of emaSwati have died since the health crisis erupted, triggered by rampant corruption in the public administration allegedly involving Kareem Ashraff.

Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson declined to comment about these allegations.

But an independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News further uncovered secret communication including documents substantiating that indeed, Kareem Ashraff, the influential, powerful and politically connected businessman has seized control of the State police and now using the law enforcement institution as “his own private investigation agency’.

It has been disclosed that, Ashraff and the National Commissioner’s relationship dates back when Masango was the Head of the Operational Support Services Unit(OSSU), the Indonesian businessman was supplying police uniform, allegedly bribing senior police officers including Vusi Masango to secure multimillion tenders.

But it has been disclosed that, in the last eighteen(18) months as the health crisis corruption dominates the public discourse, Ashraff has spent over R2million bribing senior police officers within the Police Service including the National Commissioner and Hhohho Regional Commissioner to evade arrest and further control the State law enforcement institution.

The businessman of Indonesian origin is also alleged to be closer to King Mswati and, using the King’s absolute power and the proceeds of corruption to intimidate senior Government officials, manipulate and control institutions of the State for personal gain.

SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff declined to comment about these allegations.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News,highly regarded eSwatini lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said, Parliament proceedings “are immune to prosecution such that, even Members of Parliament(MP) cannot be prosecuted” based on what they said inside Parliament.

“If such would happen it would be undermining the institution of Parliament as an autonomous organ of state. Parliamentary proceedings generally involve parliamentary privilege or Parliamentary immunity, which is designed to allow members of parliament to perform their legislative duties without fear of undue interference, particularly from the Executive or Judiciary. This privilege typically grants immunity from civil or criminal liability for things said or done in the course of Parliamentary proceedings. Therefore, anyone outside Parliament who would want to institute criminal proceedings based on what was said in Parliament would be undermining the institution and by extent the Government”, said the lawyer.