MBABANE – The wife of a prominent pastor was yesterday taken in for questioning by police, while six more foreign nationals were arrested, as investigations into the 88 foreign suspects intensify.
The woman who is a government employee was questioned at the Mbabane Police Station over her alleged involvement, together with her husband, in facilitating the arrival of the foreign nationals into the country.
At the same time, police arrested six more foreign nationals believed to be linked to the group that was initially nabbed during an operation at Castle Hotel. The arrest of the six brings the number of the foreign nationals arrested in connection with this matter to 94.
Information gathered indicates that the questioning of the pastor’s wife lasted several hours before she was later released pending further investigations.
It was reliably gathered that during the interrogation, the woman recorded a statement with the police. She was subsequently informed that she would be called again as investigations continue.
This publication has established that investigators raided the wife’s residence and some gadgets were reportedly seized. The raid was conducted in the presence of her attorneys.
Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the development.
Mnguni said the woman had been called in by police, questioned and later released pending further investigations.
She added that investigations into the matter were ongoing. Sources close to the investigations alleged that the woman and her husband are suspected to have played a role in facilitating the arrival of the foreign nationals into the kingdom.
Meanwhile, the six foreign nationals were allegedly found at a house in Ezulwini, where investigators believe they were part of the same syndicate involved in the suspected online gambling scam known as ‘pig-butchering’.
According to sources, the suspects are believed to have been working in coordination with those who were operating from the hotel.
Investigations indicate that the group may have been conducting similar activities, targeting victims through online platforms.
The suspects are believed to be part of a wider network that allegedly operated from different locations while remaining connected.
Police have since taken the six into custody as investigations continue.
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