Illegal gambling syndicate case moves to trial

MBABANE– The Mbabane Magistrate’s Court has set a clear schedule for the trial of approximately 140 foreign nationals linked to a massive illegal gambling and money laundering syndicate.

During a heavily guarded appearance, groups of the accused categorised by their arrest locations such as Madlenya House, Hawane, Woodlands, and the Castle Hotel were brought before Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi. The proceedings focused primarily on securing trial dates.

Following a collaborative effort between the Crown prosecutor and defence attorneys, the court confirmed several critical dates. The legal proceedings have now been scheduled to commence in stages, with specific trial dates set for May 8, May 29, and June 12, 2026. The accused individuals are expected back in court for a further remand hearing on April 23, 2026 while awaiting for the commencement of their trial.

The group currently facing trial includes individuals from a wide range of countries, specifically Mainland China, Taiwan, Brazil, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Philippines.

Defence attorney Linda Dlamini accepted the date after the prosecution noted that the court’s calendar is significantly constrained. Additionally, the court is considering a proposal to separate male and female defendants for future appearances to streamline logistics, a move supported by the other defence attorney Noncedo Ndlangamandla, who noted that only a small number of women are involved in the Castle Hotel group.

The current proceedings follow a series of coordinated raids across Eswatini that sent shockwaves through the local community. According to reports by the Times of Eswatini, the investigation into this group is one of the largest of its kind in recent years.

The accused are facing a heavy sheet of indictments, primarily centred on illegal gambling operations and money laundering. Furthermore, many are facing charges for being in Eswatini illegally, lacking the proper documentation or permits.

The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) conducted simultaneous operations at various hotspots, including residential and commercial buildings like Madlenya House, Castle Hotel and Woodlands.

The most startling revelation reported by this publication is that several of the individuals apprehended during these raids were found to have been reported missing in their respective home countries.

Some of those to stand trial:

1. Greem del Henmino – Philippine
2. King Lucion – Philippine
3. Trishia Logaspi – Philippine
4. Kezial Shem Bitagan – Philippine
5. Maricar Langue – Philippine
6. Nikko Almonte – Philippine
7. John Rick Bocsal – Philippine
8. Shiel Morano – Philippine
9. Christian Jay Del Rosario – Philippine
10. Athony Dollette – Philippine
11. Jacklyn Mario Tandrian – Republic of Indonesia
12. Li Cong Chang – Mainland China
13. Su Zhi Feng – Mainland China
14. Cheng Hong Yu – Mainland China
15. Xu Chen Nan – The People’s Republic of China
16. Pu Ran – The People’s Republic of China
17. Li Jie – The People’s Republic of China
18. Shi Fue Sheng – The People’s Republic of China
19. Z Hou Wei – The People’s Republic of China
20. Yang Ze Ming – The People’s Republic of China
21. He Guo Yin – The People’s Republic of China
22. Zi Hai Wei – The People’s Republic of China
23. Haung Lie Long – The People’s Republic of China
24. Wei Mang Fei – The People’s Republic of China
25. Twan Khin Phill – The People’s Republic of China
26. Wei Lang – The People’s Republic of China
27. Z Hao Jun – The People’s Republic of China
28. Xiang Xiao Wei – The People’s Republic of China
29. Chen Tao – The People’s Republic of China
30. Yi Zhu Yang – The People’s Republic of China
31. Q Ben Guang – The People’s Republic of China
32. Wang Ning Ning – The People’s Republic of China
33. Meiling Qin – The People’s Republic of China
34. Chen Hao – The People’s Republic of China
35. Gao Zi Yang – The People’s Republic of China
36. He Shi Xin – The People’s Republic of China
37. Li Dong Dong – The People’s Republic of China
38. Luo Cheng Zhen – The People’s Republic of China
39. Chen Li – The People’s Republic of China
40. Weng Ming – The People’s Republic of China
41. Z Hango Jing – The People’s Republic of China
42. She Shi Xia – The People’s Republic of China
43. Yuan Wei Ping – The People’s Republic of China
44. Lau Chi Wai – The People’s Republic of China
45. Twan Kyin – Republic of Myanmar
46. Phat Cheri Sritharat – Kingdom of Thailand
47. Lyu Tao – The People’s Republic of China
48. Li Hai – The People’s Republic of China
49. Lui Xingwang – The People’s Republic of China
50. Zhaq Dongxing – The People’s Republic of China
51. Wu Mingqiang – The People’s Republic of China
52. Qui Boyuan – The People’s Republic of China
53. Cao Yongzeng – The People’s Republic of China
54. Cui Jiwen – The People’s Republic of China
55. Tong Yuqin – The People’s Republic of China
56. Chen Chaq – The People’s Republic of China
57. Shu Hong – The People’s Republic of China
58. Zheng Xinyu – The People’s Republic of China
59. Jain Xingwen – The People’s Republic of China
60. Wei Qiankun – The People’s Republic of China
61. Zhou Shubin – The People’s Republic of China
62. Lui Ye – The People’s Republic of China
63. Long Hu – The People’s Republic of China
64. Chen Jiansong – The People’s Republic of China
65. Pel Dingue – The People’s Republic of China
66. Ren Nan – The People’s Republic of China
67. Lan Xiaolei – The People’s Republic of China
68. Tang Yaxin – The People’s Republic of China
69. Them Linging – The People’s Republic of China
70. Li Jinzhao – The People’s Republic of China
71. Wu Dehua – The People’s Republic of China
72. Zhu Yunlang – The People’s Republic of China
73. Zhang Zengming – The People’s Republic of China
74. Ye Zhijun – The People’s Republic of China
75. Jin Xiaohu – The People’s Republic of China
76. Wei Yungao – The People’s Republic of China
77. Zhou Wenchang – The People’s Republic of China
78. Xiang Yunlan – The People’s Republic of China
79. Chang Yuche – The People’s Republic of China
80. Xu Yanxin – The People’s Republic of China
81. Zhang Junha – The People’s Republic of China
82. Zhao Xiny – The People’s Republic of China
83. Ting In Kai – The People’s Republic of China
84. Li Guolin – The People’s Republic of China
85. Liu Renkuan – The People’s Republic of China
86. Huang Rang – The People’s Republic of China
87. Yuan Ye – The People’s Republic of China
88. Hong Hao – The People’s Republic of China
89. Cheng Jing – The People’s Republic of China
90. Rao Jiong Nan – The People’s Republic of China
91. Duang Ming – The People’s Republic of China
92. Jian Wen Jun – The People’s Republic of China
93. Do Nascimento Santos Francisco Romulo – Federative Republic of Brazil
94. Olveira Souza Filho Wagner Fabiano – Federative Republic of Brazil
95. Coehlo Rodrigues Lo-Ruama – Federative Republic of Brazil
96. Yepes Garcia Joao Pedro – Federative Republic of Brazil
97. Toledo Da Silva Carla Eduarda – Federative Republic of Brazil
98. Nunes Linnk Moura – Federative Republic of Brazil
99. Nascimento Dos Santos Claudio – Federative Republic of Brazil
100. Felipe Marriano Nogueira Paulo – Federative Republic of Brazil
101. Azevedo Silva Moises Abrao – Federative Republic of Brazil
102. Nascimento Sousa Almeida Matheus – Federative Republic of Brazil
103. Pavan Fabrias Felipe – Federative Republic of Brazil
104. Carvalho Das Chagas Lucas – Federative Republic of Brazil
105. Teixeira Alves Mateus Ricardo – Federative Republic of Brazil
106. Goulart De Souza Adryan Henrique – Federative Republic of Brazil
107. Balbino De Souza Francisco Wislen – Federative Republic of Brazil
108. Da Silva Dos Santos Joan Vitor – Federative Republic of Brazil
109. Elsa Novita – Republic of Indonesia
110. Darfit Hu – Republic of Indonesia
111. Dini Julia Erliani – Republic of Indonesia
112. Ferdian Pamungkas – Republic of Indonesia
113. Ali Abdurahman – Republic of Indonesia
114. Feno Richard Mumu – Republic of Indonesia
115. Zimart Nurbani Hasan P. – Republic of Indonesia
116. Huang Shih-Ting – Republic of China (Taiwan)
117. Chou I-Cheng – Republic of China (Taiwan)
118. Xu Rui – Republic of China (Taiwan)
119. Huang Yu-Chi – Republic of China (Taiwan)
120. Liu Qian Yu – Republic of China (Taiwan)
121. Chen Jah Hao – Republic of China (Taiwan)
122. Heang Lyng – Kingdom of Cambodia