MBABANE:Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini is highly expected to hold a secret meeting with SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff this weekend to plot among others, a Cabinet reshuffle, the removal of Civil Service Commission(CSC) boss lawyer Simanga Mamba and the subsequent reshuffle and appointment of new Principal Secretaries(PSs) to be deployed in strategic Ministries.
This is contained in highly confidential State Intelligence information leaked to this Swaziland News as the power struggle intensifies within Cabinet and/or the corridors of power.
Immigration records suggests that, Ashraff,the influential, powerful and politically connected businessman, left the country on the 27th August 2024 via the Oshoek Boarder and Oliver Tambo International Airport, on the other hand,Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini left the country on Thursday with his delegation for the Indonesian-Africa Forum.
Kareem Ashraff who has been serving as Indonesian Consular for years, is alleged to be among those who made preparations for the PM’s trip to Indonesia, Ashraff is allegedly prioritizing the removal of CSC Chairman Simanga Mamba to pave way for a subsequent reshuffle for Principal Secretaries and Cabinet Ministers.
The State Intelligence sources further shared information suggesting that, Vumile Dlamini, the removed Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Royal Science and Technology Park(RSTP) allegedly travelled to KwaZulu Natal last week, to lobby his cousin King MisuZulu who is in the country for the ongoing uMhlanga Ceremony.
The Zulu King, according to the intelligence information, is highly expected to convince or advice the King to make changes in Cabinet including removing Simanga Mamba so that, a new CSC Chairman will then approve the reshuffling of Principal Secretaries.
It is alleged that, the Kareem Ashraff syndicate wants to strengthen its network within strategic Ministries in Government for alleged purposes of looting public funds.
King Mswati normally reshuffle, appoint and announce Principal Secretaries through the Prime Minister however, the CSC Chairman also plays a significant role in recommending a reshuffle or new appointments including preparing new contracts for those who have been recalled back to the civil service after retirement.
It has been disclosed that, the reshuffle for PSs might lead to the removal of Phesheya Dube, the Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology(ICT) who is accused by the Prime Minister and Ashraff syndicate of siding with Information Minister Savannah Maziya in refusing to award Vumile Dlamini a new contract.
Vumile Dlamini was ‘removed’ by the Information Minister amid a multimillion fraud and corruption scandal within the Royal Science and Technology Park, he has been lobbying for a surprise comeback and even approached Liqoqo, the King’s Advisory Council.
But this Swaziland News obtained Whatsap messages where Vumile Dlamini was discussing with one of his trusted allies, accusing PS Phesheya Dube and others for his troubles after he was removed as CEO of the Science and Technology Park.
Dlamini declined to comment about his removal as the Chief Executive Officer of the State owned company.
It has been disclosed that, another PS who is allegedly marked for removal or targeted for the reshuffle is Khanyakwezwe Mabuza and his Minister Mduduzi Matsebula.
The Health Minister and the PS who have been trying to work towards ensuring the provision of drugs in public hospitals, are alleged to be frustrated by the Prime Minister and Ashraff after they refused to allow the transformation of the Central Medical Stores(CMS) to purchase drugs and be under the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS(NERCHA).
The plot to transform the CMS to be under NERCHA,it is alleged, intensified after the Prime Minister allegedly overruled Cabinet and strategically appointed Dr Nondumiso Ginindza-Ncube as the Executive Director, the new Director is allegedly loyal to the Ashraff syndicate.
The Ashraff’s syndicate that allegedly looted billions within the Ministry of Health, resulting to the shortage of drugs in public hospitals and wants the CMS to be under NERCHA, is currently at loggerheads with those who are opposing the systematic established conduits for the alleged corruption.
But before leaving for Indonesia, the Prime Minister is alleged to have uttered sentiments inside Cabinet saying, “you can never lose a match with strikers like Messi and Ronaldo”, he allegedly said, with the arrival of King MisuZulu,who is Vumile Dlamini’s cousin, a ‘penalty’ has been awarded and, Simanga Mamba will be removed and soon thereafter, a reshuffle for Principal Secretaries will take place.
Efforts to reach CSC Chairman lawyer Simanga Mamba for a comment proved unsuccessful.
A questionnaire was sent to Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli,however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Friday evening,Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson said,it would be a test case if the intended plot could be successful as the King does not operate like that.
“We are not aware of any counters to that effect.In the unlikely event it happens,it would be a test case.It has never happened before.The King does not operate like that. Suspects are dealt with by the police and the courts.Our experience is that reshuffles of Ministers,Principal Sectetaries and Under Secretaries can only be recommended by the Prime Minister to the Head of State and none other person,should there be operational need in the best interest of the country”, said the King’s Spokesperson.
Kareem Ashraff who allegedly controls the Prime Minister and other Ministers, declined to comment about the matter.
On another note, the State Intelligence information suggests that, the PM and the Ashraff syndicate adopted a strategy to intimidate the King that, the tension and infighting in Cabinet will undermine service delivery and cause another unrest.
“Once you tell the King that, this will cause another unrest, he just act quickly and they want to use that strategy because they know the King fears another unrest”, said the State Intelligence source.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini is allegedly controlled by businessman Kareem Ashraff, he is highly expected to influence decisions to advance his business interests in what, loyalists of the Tinkhundla system who spoke to this publication, described as a State capture.
Kareem Ashraff.