MBABANE – Police have arrested a 57-year-old Chinese businessman, who is wanted in his home country in connection with the alleged theft of approximately E2 billion.
Jin Houyun was apprehended during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by Tingcugculu – a specialised unit under the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) tasked with investigating serious and high-profile crimes. The arrest took place at Tubungu in Matsapha, where the businessman had been purportedly residing. He was reportedly arrested last Sunday.
The businessman is facing a total of 13 charges. Eleven of these relate to fraud; one count relates to bribery after he allegedly attempted to bribe an investigator with E2 400 and one count relates to being found in possession of dagga.
According to investigations, Houyun is alleged to have operated a pyramid scheme in his home country, recruiting investors and collecting funds which reportedly exceeded the equivalent of E2 billion. It is alleged that when the scheme collapsed, he fled and later made his way to Eswatini.
Police further established that while in the kingdom, the businessman was found in possession of a fake Eswatini diplomatic passport and a diplomatic identity card. Investigations revealed that he used a different name from his own in connection with the fraudulent diplomatic passport.
These are allegations whose veracity is still to be tested in court.
The diplomatic passport has since been confirmed to be fake. Police are continuing with investigations to determine how the fraudulent document was produced and whether any local individuals may have facilitated its creation or use.
It has also emerged that Houyun operates businesses in South Africa. He allegedly travelled between Eswatini and South Africa using a fake diplomatic passport. The passport was reportedly stamped under unclear circumstances, a matter that now forms part of ongoing investigations.
Houyun yesterday appeared at the Mbabane Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody pending further proceedings, including processes related to his possible extradition to his home country.
According to the charge sheet, the businessman made a number of trips in and out of the country using the fake diplomatic passport and an international passport under the name Nonhhlanhla Gina.
*…
… court can’t dictate Correctional Services’ admin – magistrate rules
MBABANE – “The Correctional Services has its own way of handling its administrative issues and they cannot be ordered by the court on what to do.”
This is what Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi told Jin Houyun’s defence counsel after they requested to have it placed on record that they request to be allowed to bring in an interpreter to consult their client at the Sidwashini Correctional Services.
Houyun is represented by Linda Dlamini, who has since instructed Advocate Mduduzi ‘Tsotsi’ Mabila.
Nhlabatsi advised the defence counsel to engage the Crown for a proper arrangement with the Correctional Services as far as meeting their client is concerned. She added that the manner of approach is very important.
Houyun has been remanded in custody until February 26, 2026 pending setting of trial date.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
Leave a comment