POLICE CALLED ON PASTOR, 2 GOVT OFFICIALS AT GREEN CHERT MINE

MBABANE – Police were called when a prominent pastor, two government officials and Asian nationals attempted illegal entry into the Green Chert mine with a vehicle displaying falsified plates.

Green Chert, also known as green stone, is found at Malolotja, which is part of the Greenstone Belt. The mine has been experiencing a variety of concerns, including calls for it not to take off in fear of the world losing one of the pristine areas with exceptional biodiversity and ecological importance.

Another controversy has been reports of the theft and illegal mining, with some incidents involving South African nationals and resulting in arrests.

Meanwhile, last Wednesday evening, this publication gathered that two civil servants from the Geology Department, a prominent pastor and two Chinese nationals, with one being based in Lesotho and the other in Mozambique, along with the driver of the vehicle they were travelling in, were reportedly stopped on their tracks.

Denied

According to sources, they gained entry at the first gate leading to the mine; however, at the second entry point, they were reportedly denied entry as they did not present authority granting them permission to engage in any business within the mine.

Identification seen by this publication depists that one of the Chinese nationals was in possession of a passport from the Kingdom of Lesotho while the other had one issued by the People’s Republic of China.
Meanwhile, sources have claimed that they were travelling in a vehicle that was not bearing registration plates; but had those used to register the government fleet.

It is said as they could not articulate their business there, law enforcers were called to the scene; however, they were not apprehended.

Conversely, it has been gathered that subsequent to this incident, an investigation was launched by Michael Lee Enterprises. Sources have claimed that the vehicle was discovered to belong to a senior government official within the Geology Department. It is worth noting that the Department of Mining, among other duties, is responsible for technical advice and support which extends to reconnaissance, prospecting, mining and quarrying projects in the country.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy website, the support may be on a statutory obligation or at a professional level, but the effort is dispatched for the sustainable exploitation of minerals and mineral aggregates for the benefit of the investor and the Swati nation.

It is said the mandatory support includes health and safety inspections accorded to all projects, and professional support is extended for designs in new projects or upgrades of designs already in use.

Sources have claimed that following the incident, a letter was sent to the office of the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, Vusi Masango.

The insiders claimed that the subject of the communication is ‘Incident Report on Illegal Mining Activities and Suspected Corruption’.

The communication to NATCOM is said to detail that on Wednesday afternoon,  Michael Lee Enterprises security personnel successfully intercepted a group of individuals suspected of being involved in illegal mining, commonly known as zama zamas.

It reportedly further articulates that in response to the incident, both the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) and Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) were called to the scene for further assessment.

The source purported that the letter detailed to the NATCOM that upon investigation, it was discovered that the suspects were utilising a vehicle belonging to a senior government official in the Geology Department. Furthermore, it was claimed that the investigation unravelled that the vehicle was disguised with a false number plate, presumably to avoid detection.  The communication to the NATCOM purported that the original number plate was later recovered and confiscated by the authorities.

Concerning

It was said what is particularly concerning is that the number plate is officially registered under a senior government official; which reportedly raised serious suspicions about the direct involvement of the civil servant and those who sought access to the mine.

This discovery, according to the said letter to NATCOM, suggests potential collusion between a senior official and illegal mining operatives, which is both alarming and deeply troubling.

The communication to NATCOM supposed that given the gravity of the matter, the best recommendation was a thorough investigation into the senior official’s role in the incident. The correspondence reportedly stated that it is imperative to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of mining operations under the esteemed leadership.

Acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed that an incident was reported to the police and no person was arrested.

Mnguni said the police are investigating the matter. On the issue of communication to the office of the NATCOM, she said: “As of Friday afternoon, we had not received any correspondence. It might be that it is yet to be delivered.”

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