MBABANE – Police have intensified their crackdown on illegal gambling operations, conducting coordinated raids at eMfuleni Lifestyle in Ezulwini and the Madlenya Building in Mbabane.
At Mfuleni Lifestyle, police officers reportedly arrived at around 8pm, where they began interviewing staff members and conducting searches of the premises. During the operation, several gadgets believed to have been used in the alleged illegal gambling activities were seized.
A separate team of investigators was also deployed to another section of the establishment, where a search was carried out. However, it could not immediately be established what, if anything, was recovered during that part of the operation.
The raids form part of ongoing investigations that have already led to a number of arrests. Police confirmed that an initial group of suspects was detained on March 10, 2026, followed by another group apprehended last Friday. In total, 146 individuals have been arrested so far.
Of those who have appeared in court, 48 were found to be in the country illegally. The foreign nationals are reported to be from Indonesia, Nepal and mainland China.
Among those arrested is a liSwati alleged to have been employing foreign nationals who were living unlawfully in the country. Police stated that investigations are continuing as authorities work to dismantle what is suspected to be an organised illegal gambling network.
Meanwhile, at the Madlenya House, a separate raid that began at around 8am targeted Xwin Company, which is said to be involved in online gambling operations.
During the operation, a number of foreign nationals were escorted by police officers into a bus parked outside the building. Some attempted to conceal their identities by covering their faces with their hands, while one individual who tried to disembark after boarding, was ordered back onto the vehicle. The raid drew the attention of commuters, who gathered nearby to observe the developments. Reactions were mixed, with some expressing shock, while others commended the police for taking action.
Following the operation, approximately 250 employees of the company were instructed to stay at home until further notice.
An employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a group of armed officers, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, entered the premises and ordered workers to raise their hands before conducting a search.
The employee said staff members were questioned about the company’s operations, including how the alleged gambling activities were conducted, how they secured employment and their qualifications.
“We explained what we knew, but most of the processes are handled by our superiors,” the employee said.
The employee added that most workers at the company were graduates from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology and that the company employed about 250 people.
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Chinese businessman’s bail opposed, faces more charges
MBABANE – A Chinese businessman accused of operating a business without a valid permit has been opposed bail, as the Crown intends to add more charges against him.
This happened when Lipen Chi (43) from the Republic of China appeared at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, also facing a charge of employing foreign nationals who are illegally in the country. The intention to add more charges against Chi was stated by the Crown as a ground for opposing his bail application. The Crown also submitted that Chi is a flight risk, given that he is a foreign national.
This was after his lawyer, Linda Dlamini from Linda Dlamini and Associates had applied for his client’s release on bail. Dlamini submitted that his client is an established businessman, who is legally in the country. He said Chi has employed many people, including emaSwati, which means he will by no means flee the country if admitted to bail.
Dlamini submitted that Chi has undertaken to abide by all conditions attached to bail of released.
Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi cited the phrase ‘administration of justice,’ while advising that there should be a full bail application so that the court could appreciate all the facts before making a ruling. Nhlabatsi lacked facts to fairly decide on the matter.
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Women weep over illegal employment charges
MBABANE – Female foreign nationals who are part of the 47 who appeared at the Magistrates court yesterday were in tears during their first court appearance.
According to the charge sheet, 30 of the foreign nationals are from the People’s Republic of China, 10 from the Philippines, one from Thailand and another from the Republic of Myanmar. There was also one from Indonesia and three others.
The accused persons are charged with allegedly being in the country illegally and further engaging in employment without valid permits.
It has been gathered that the foreigners were recruited and employed in a gambling business across the country, which was reportedly operated illegally by Chinese businessmen.
The foreigners who were arrested on Friday were brought to court in a bus escorted by two police vans with officers armed with firearms.
Upon arrival in court, they were escorted to the courtroom where they were separated according to their charges. Noted was that 30 from the Republic of China appeared alongside one from the Republic of Mymmar and another from Thailand, facing 65 charges. There were also 10 from the Philippines who appeared alongside one from Indonesia and three facing 28 counts of breaching the Immigration Act of 1982.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
