Times Of Swaziland: ACC INVESTIGATING OFFICERS OVER LEAKS

ACC INVESTIGATING OFFICERS OVER LEAKS
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Mthunzi Mdluli on 11/09/2024 09:50:00


MBABANE – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has instituted an investigation
to identify the officers who are responsible for leaking confidential
information in cases it is investigating.
The commission raised concerns over the leakage of confidential documents of
people being investigated by it to the public. The ACC, through its Director,
Jabu Phakathi, said the internal investigations would enable them to ascertain
whether any of their officials played a role in the leaking of such sensitive
documents. She made this statement in response to an unprecedented incident
where approximately a week ago, social media circulated sensitive documents
involving one of the country’s top judges.Phakathi said they are concerned
about the leakage of matters that still under investigation, which she said has
never happened before. She said they were still shocked by such an act. “All
the cases we investigate are protected by law. An investigation does not mean
that the probed person will be found guilty of the offence. In some instances,
an investigation may clear a person of any allegations that may have surfaced
and led to its launch,” said Phakathi.
She said the ACC collaborated with other State agencies when conducting
investigations and it was essential that trust within the entities did not
lapse. “We are taking the leakage of confidential documents seriously in order
to maintain our good working relationship with those teams we work with,” she
said.On another note, the director said the outcome of their investigation would
determine their next move. “It is clear that the aim of the people behind the
leak of the sensitive documents is to let down the investigations conducted. We,
therefore, want to know their motive. We want to know whether these individuals
are doing this alone or collaborate with people under investigation. We are
dealing with this matter. We apologise to the public for what happened,” she
explained.
Corruption
Phakathi pleaded with the public to never lose confidence in the commission. It
is worth noting that last Friday, one of the ACC officers was arrested for
alleged fraud. Aligned with the recent incidents happening within the entity,
Phakathi was sought for clarity why the public should not lose its trust with
the entity as corruption allegations had been levelled against it. “No one is
exempted from any investigation done by the commission in as far as corruption
is concerned,” she said.The allegations against ACC for pursuing small fish at
all instances were brought to her attention and they have previously been raised
in Parliament. It was then brought to her attention that the recent arrest of
seven officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs was in some quarters classified
as low-profile cases and was asked when breakthroughs will be made on
high-profile cases.
Phakathi said the perception that some civil servants were being arrested for
committing minor offences was not true. She said ACC investigates both low and
high-profile cases without fear or favour. She stated that some of the officials
benefit immensely to those cases regarded as petty crimes as viewed by many.
“The question is, for how long has this person engaged in such illegal
practices before being caught? We need to have a look at the damage brought by
the committed crimes. A country can be viewed negatively because of
corruption,” she said.
The director also disputed allegation that the ACC did not apply vigour when
investigating high-profile corruption cases, while it supposedly acted at speed
in’small fish’ cases. She said it was not easy to investigate cases where a
large amount had been lost. “We need to be sure that the suspect was indeed
implicated in whatever he or she is being investigated for. It is in that regard
that the commission works with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to
ensure that investigations of corruption cases are executed promptly. We plead
for the public’s patience regarding the investigation of high-profile
cases.”
In July, the ACC reported that it was investigating over 250 cases with two
arrests at that time. From that period up to date, ACC investigations together
with the police and DPP’s office led to more arrests. In the first case, a
National Maize Corporation (NMC) and University of Eswatini (UNESWA) lecturer
were arrested for allegedly giving each other a tractor’s trailer. Also,
Delight Moyo, a Zimbabwean national, and Mboneni Zwane, a Home Affairs officer,
were also arrested and charged with 33 counts of fraud and theft. Zwane is
currently out on bail while Moyo is in custody.Another foreign national,
Benjamin Mensah Larbi (38) of Ghana, was arrested in connection with fraudulent
activities at the Ministry of Home Affairs. He was later convicted for theft of
Eswatini government passport books, bribery, corruption and fraud.
As if that was not enough, another Cameroonian international was also arrested
in connection with fraudulent activities in the ministry.Not so long ago, seven
home affairs officials accused of corruption were charged with 89 counts. The
accused persons are Phumzile Mdluli (accused one) of Ngwazini, Dumsile Lukhele
(accused two) of Sgombeni, Ncobile Helen Dlamini (accused three) of Siphocosini,
of Nyakeni, Faith Sifiso Matse (accused four) of Ngwenya, Njabulo Thembeka
Thwala (accused five) of Mpolonjeni, Mbekwa Carlo Ncongwane (accused six) of
Sidwashini, and Jean Khangezile Mamba-Sitsebe (accused seven) of Nkoyoyo. The
home affairs officials were also admitted to bail.A week ago, Assistant ACC
investigator Bonginkhosi Dlamini was arrested for allegedly demanding nearly
E200 000 from the head teacher of Lusoti High School to not investigate him for
reportedly misappropriating school funds. Bonginkhosi was arrested by his
colleagues on Thursday morning. The ACC Assistant Investigator is currently out
on bail fixed at E5 000.