By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Photographic evidence leaked to this Swaziland News exposes how Welcome Dlamini, the Mbabane East Member of Parliament(MP) visited Mobeen Meldi,the controversial investor Mobeen Meldi whose proposal was allegedly rejected by the Investment Authority on the grounds that, the investor “has no financial capacity and credibility” to invest in the country.

It has been disclosed that,Mobeen Meldi arrived in the country and misrepresented to the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority(EIPA) that,he had the financial muscle to establish a biscuits factory but after the necessary due diligence and/or vetting, the institution tasked with promoting investments concluded that, the investor was not credible with no financial capacity to establish the said factory.

It was then that, Mobeen Meldi rushed to Mancoba Khumalo urging the Commerce,Industry and Trade Minister  to influence the Investment Authority to award him a license and other necessary documentation to establish the said factory.

But the Minister, acting on advice from the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority allegedly dismissed the controversial investor’s proposal on the grounds that,he was a high risk with no financial capacity or capability to invest.

The investor then opted to approach Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini seeking his influence to ensure the approval of the project.

Mobeen Meldi is alleged to have escaped from other countries where he arrived pretending to be an investor, he then secure loans and subsequently disappear.

But now,fresh evidence has emerged suggesting that, after holding a secret meeting with Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini on or around the 14th August 2024,a week later,the controversial investor met Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini

The PM was allegedly promised a bribe and, he allegedly suggested that,he will engage an MP who will raise the matter in Parliament and soon thereafter,the Prime Minister will then push it in Cabinet as if he was merely implementing a Parliament resolution.

MP Welcome Dlamini, when clarifying the matter,denied that the meeting came as per an instruction from the Prime Minister but,he said he was within his duties as an MP when meeting the controversial investor.

“Hi Nkhosi.I’ve never spoken with the PM about Mobeen.I only spoke to him after he had approached me and other MPs about his situation, which had appeared in the newspapers and the Minister had reported to the Portfolio Committee.There was never any instruction from the PM to me about Mobeen”, said the Mbabane East MP.

Mobeen Meldi the controversial investor and the PM had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, the investor was once quoted by an online platform known as “The Free Library” pleading with banks in Europe to support his business, that was in 2009.

“Mr Mehdi says a funding injection is now vital to secure the future of the business and meet its financial commitments to Zetar.He said: “I need the extra funding but I believe I will get it.”I’m a trier. The potential is there, our product range and business model is right.”He plans to expand the business after winning work from contract manufacturing and private label customers-he is in discussions with a UK supermarket-and growing BSC's range of own-branded products.He expects to grow staff numbers at the Middlesbrough factory by 50% from 100 to 150.Mr Mehdi urged banks to start lending to businesses with good growth potential after having funding requests turned down by mainstream banks,” reads an article from The Free Library.

But over fifteen(15) years later, the controversial investor is alleged to be seeking funding even in eSwatini to establish the same biscuits factory.