MBABABE – An EFIC manager analyst has been arrested for allegedly disclosing confidential information to certain persons/ entities.
Gcinekile Mavimbela was charged under the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Prevention Act for what investigators describe as the unauthorised disclosure of protected information to a third party. She made her first appearance before the Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi, who granted her bail fixed at E5 000. Mavimbela has since been remanded out of custody until November 27, 2025, pending the setting of a trial date.
Mavimbela’s arrest comes as the Eswatini Financial Intelligence Centre (EFIC) continues to investigate internal breaches following the alleged leaking of over 890 000 financial records. The records reportedly include information on politicians, businesspeople and other high-profile individuals linked to transactions dating back to 2016.
Last year, the leaked documents were widely reported to have reached the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and were later published under the Swazi Secrets and Open Secrets projects.
Before her arrest, Mavimbela had been placed on precautionary suspension. A letter dated September 22, 2025, informed her that she was suspended with full pay, while the centre investigated claims that she disclosed confidential information to unnamed persons.
In the correspondence, EFIC Director General Babhekile Matsebula stated that the allegations raised serious concerns about the integrity and reputation of the institution.
“It is, therefore, necessary that the truth of what happened be uncovered. A decision has been made to investigate this matter further,” the letter reads.
Mavimbela was reminded of her obligation to maintain confidentiality and was cautioned against accessing work systems or contacting colleagues without authorisation. EFIC said the suspension was intended to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation and clarify whether she should face disciplinary action.
Her suspension letter also refers to earlier internal processes in which she was asked to show cause why she should not be charged with misconduct, including allegations of gross dishonesty for allegedly making false accusations against the director finance and administration. In her response, the manager denied all wrongdoing.
Although EFIC was thrust into global headlines last year over the data leak, the present charge before court specifically relates to the alleged wrongful disclosure of confidential information, separate from the published ‘Swazi Secrets’ reports.
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