By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Prime Minister(PM)Russell Mmiso Dlamini has established an anti-corruption Task Team to investigate allegations of corruption as per a command issued by King Mswati in his speech from the Throne.

Addressing a press conference on Monday at the Cabinet Offices,the PM stated that,the Task Team that consists of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Lomvula Hlophe, Acting National Commissioner of Police Lydia Dlamini and Acting Commissioner of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Maphevu Mkhatshwa will report directly to him.

“The task team will be responsible for investigating corruption allegations, prosecuting cases, implementing preventive measures, and strengthening legal frameworks to address corruption effectively. Immediately, the team is expected to deal with the currently obvious cases with the offenders brought to book with immediate effect just as it was commanded by His Majesty the King in his address to Parliament. Cases must be dealt with to finality and not be dropped mid process. The DPP is expected to prioritise corruption cases henceforth.Corruption undermines our progress as a Nation and impacts negatively on service delivery, human and socio-economic development, job creation and public trust in government, as well as investor confidence. Government has committed itself to having zero tolerance for and fighting corruption in all sectors of society.The launch of this task team is a positive step towards promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance and it is in line with the policy direction that was so clearly articulated in the Speech from the Throne by His Majesty the King during the official opening of Parliament,” said the Prime Minister.

Attorney General(AG) Sifiso Khumalo, Justice Minister Prince Simelane, Acting Police National Commissioner Lydia Dlamini, Acting Anti-Corruption Commissioner(ACC) Maphevu Mkhatshwa and the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) Lomvula Hlophe were present during the press conference.

On another note,Chief Justice(CJ) Bheki Maphalala was allegedly seen crossing the Ngwenya Boarder Gate on Friday afternoon, shortly after the King declared war against corruption.

The CJ who was allegedly with Prosecutor Ncamsile Masuku crossed the boarder wearing a cap without stamping his passport, insiders within the Immigration Department revealed.

“He was transported by a car that dropped him on the South African side.The car came back without the CJ and Ncamsile.He was wearing a cap like lipansula disguising and he didn’t stamp his passport”, said the insider.

The Chief Justice failed to respond to this publication when asked to clarify why he secretly crossed the border and efforts to reach Ncamsile Masuku proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

It could not be ascertained if the CJ came back on the same weekend and the purpose of the trip could not be ascertained.

The Chief Justice is at logger-heads with Cabinet particularly Justice Minister Prince Simelane, he allegedly told the Minister to “back-off” after being advised to disband the Commission of Enquiry into allegations of corruption within the Master of the High Court’s Office on basis that, it was established unlawfully.

The Commission of Enquiry Act of 1963 gives the Minister powers to appoint the Commission after consultation with the relevant authorities.

Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala is alleged to have castrated the Anti-Corruption Commission(ACC) through a court judgement, he went on to allegedly engage in fraud and corrupt activities within Government thus promoting an epidemic culture of impunity.