ACC INVESTIGATING OFFICERS OVER LEAKS

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.

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