US CHARGED WITH FORGERY

MANZINI – A senior government official, who holds the rank of under secretary (US), was last week arrested by the police under the Commercial Crimes and Fraud Department.

The US, whose name is known to this publication, was arrested following an investigation by the police on allegations of playing a role in arranging an unauthorised trip to the United States of America. During this unauthorised arrangement, it was alleged that the US forged the signature of the under secretary in the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Office. The trip, which was scheduled for February 18, 2023, was to be undertaken by a social worker employed under the DPM’s Office, which houses the country’s Social Welfare Department. This publication gathered that the arrest and subsequent appearance of the US was kept under wraps as she appeared in the chambers of a magistrate at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, where she was released on her own recognisance. Her next court appearance is on January 15, 2024.

Appearance

In verifying the appearance of the senior government official at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, was sought to confirm the arrest and she said: “The matter is now with the Judiciary as the person you are referring to appeared before court.” Meanwhile, on February 19, 2023, the Times SUNDAY reported that the US (name withheld) was alleged to have forged the signature of the US in the DPM’s Office when writing a memo to the Ministry of Home Affairs, confirming that the social worker had been officially assigned to embark on the overseas trip.

The memo was said to have accompanied an application by the social worker to be granted an international passport. A woman, from the United Sates, who is in Eswatini on a visitor’s visa, was also found to be involved in the planned travel. All three people, at the time, were planning to take an unidentified minor child to the United States, where they claimed the toddler was to undergo a skin grafting surgery. They reportedly claimed that a US-based entertainment industry non-profit organisation, known as The Stars Foundation, which advocates for underprivileged children and youth of the world, was going to fund the child’s surgery.

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