MBABANE:Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala has dismissed another warrant of arrest application filed by the Anti Corruption Commission(ACC) seeking to arrest Kareem Ashraff, the powerful and politically connected SwaziPharm Director who stands accused of looting billions of public funds resulting in the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.
When dismissing the application, the Chief Justice stated that, “the previous order is final but can be appealed through the Supreme Court”, he then warned the ACC against applying for another warrant of arrest in the same matter.
The criminal case involves the procurement of Anti-Retrovial Drugs(ARVs) by the Ministry of Health from Ashraff’s company AvaPharm (Pty) Ltd through a single-source procurement method under Tender No. 20 of 2019/2020.
It is alleged that, Kareem Ashraff’s company was paid an amount of six hundred and forty-six million, six hundred and four thousand, seven hundred and forty-five Rands, thirty-six cents(R646 604 745.36) for drugs that were never delivered.
But the politically connected businessman of Indonesian origin is proving to be too powerful to be arrested, he is an alleged friend to the Chief Justice.
Eswatini is facing a health crisis amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, dozens have died since the crisis erupted.
SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff(pic: Channel S).