2 ACCUSED OF OVER E7M E-MALI THEFT, ARRESTED

MBABANE -   Investigations by the police have uncovered how a sum of E7 344 084 from Eswatini Mobile’s e-Mali meant for the company and its customers was allegedly stolen.

The unlawful transactions allegedly occurred between the months of October 2022 and February 2023 in Mbabane. Intense investigations by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) led to the arrest of Tewordros Asfaw and his friend Vusumuzi Dlamini (39). Asfaw (34) of Pine Valley in Mbabane was employed as a subcontractor by Eswatini Mobile to assist the company with software and engineering.

Diverted

It is alleged that during his tenure, different amounts of money were diverted from the account of Eswatini Mobile or its customers that they were intended for. The monies were allegedly diverted to Dlamini’s account held with EswatiniBank. The duo has been slapped with a charge of theft under false pretences. Investigations are reportedly still ongoing and more arrests are imminent. According to the charge sheet, Asfaw is the registered owner of mobile number 7993 2381, while Dlamini, his co-accused, is the registered owner of mobile number 7979 7878, with EswatiniBank account number 77401856156. It is alleged that the duo misrepresented to Genius Sihlongonyane in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of e-Mali Limited that the amount of E7 344 084 had been deposited into the e-Mali Trust Account number 77045709210 held at EswatiniBank, Mbabane Branch, on behalf of cellular number 7968 9877.

Transferred

However, it later transpired that the money was transferred to EswatiniBank account number 77401856156 held by Dlamini. It is alleged that investigations uncovered that from the said EswatiniBank account, the money was transferred to two First National Bank (FNB) accounts held by the duo, resulting in them being charged with theft by false pretences. The pair is represented by Noncedo Ndlangamandla from Mabila Attorneys. The Crown applied that they be remanded in custody until March 3, 2023, pending their committal to the High Court. Ndlangamandla did not object to the application.

The two yesterday moved an urgent bail application at the High Court.  Asfaw narrated events leading to his arrest and how the money was purportedly stolen through what he described as his negligence.  He told the court that he was employed as a subcontractor by Eswatini Mobile and during his term, certain amounts of money were diverted from the accounts of the mobile company and/or its customers to different accounts, including that of his co-accused. “I became aware of these monies and unfortunately, I did not inform Eswatini Mobile. As a result of my negligence, the company suffered a loss, which they estimated to be around E7 million,” submitted Asfaw. He narrated to the court that when Eswatini Mobile became aware of the loss of the funds, he was out of the country. According to Asfaw, he received a call that he was to meet the management of Eswatini Mobile regarding the loss of funds.

Asfaw said upon receiving the call, he immediately boarded a plane to the Kingdom of Eswatini and met with the management and attorney of Eswatini Mobile on February 21, 2023. He alleged that consequent to their discussions, they entered into an agreement (acknowledgment of debt) in terms of which he was to repay the amount owing within 90 days. “The matter having been settled between us, I was surprised thereof when I was called by the police on February 24, 2023 and charged with the offence. Unfortunately, the police could no longer communicate with the complainant,” submitted Asfaw.

It was further his averment that he intended to pay the complainant (Eswatini Mobile) the money within 90 days as allegedly agreed between the parties. He contended that in order to do that, he needed to be out of custody as he had projects that he was working on, which would provide the sum of E7 million. “There is no likelihood that if I am released on bail, I may attempt to evade trial as I am firmly rooted in the Kingdom of Eswatini. I have some projects ranging in millions of Emalangeni that I am currently working on, which I cannot leave without completing,” he argued.

He brought it to the attention of the court that he was a sickly person who suffered from sinuses, a condition which did not allow him to be exposed to cold weather conditions. Asfaw claimed that he had been advised that in prison, a person was made to sleep on a small mat on a cement floor. “Further, I am married with four children, who are wholly dependent on me for support and maintenance and my continued incarceration will greatly prejudice  them,” submitted the accused.  He alleged that his wife was pregnant with their fourth child.   Asfaw further submitted that his continued incarceration would result in his family being stranded.

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