‘Chief’ arrested by ACC

I never coerced, forced or influenced any officers

MBABANE - “At no time did I coerce, force or influence any officers who were employed by FSRA and dealing with the Escponent file to grant them a licence.”

This is one of the averments made by former Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) Sandile ‘Chief’ Dlamini in his bail application.

He further told the court that he never persuaded the management of FSRA to grant a licence in favour of Ecsponent Limited Swaziland.

“At all material times, when dealing with Ecsponent and/or other entities, I executed my duties both diligently, professionally and in terms of the values, which I ascribed to, of transparency and honesty at all times,” submitted Sandile.

In his bail application, he narrated events leading to his arrest. He denied having committed the offences as contained in the charge sheet. He related to the court that at around 7am yesterday, a team of officers from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrived at his homestead at Elangeni.

According to Sandile, the ACC officers, who were led by Bheki Dlamini, were in possession of a warrant of apprehension as well as a search and seizure warrant.

“The team members, after having introduced themselves, continued to search my homestead and with them they took my laptop, iPad, Samsung cellphone and seven USB devices,” submitted the accused.

He narrated that after that, Bheki informed him that he was arresting him due to certain offences, which he (Sandile) allegedly committed while he was still employed as a CEO of FSRA.

“Following my arrest, I was then taken to the ACC Offices situated in Ezulwini, thereat I was interrogated and questioned about my involvement in the establishment of Ecsponent, as well as Status Capital,” submitted Sandile.

Interrogation

He told the court that after the interrogation, he was formally charged with five counts, which included contravening Section 42 of the Prevention of Corruption Act No.3 of 2006, allegedly violating Section 66 of the Income Tax Order of 1975 and of having purportedly contravened Section 4 and 76 of the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Act, 2011.

He said upon his arrest, he was detained at Mbabane Police Station, while awaiting his remand hearing at the Mbabane Magistrates Court.

In his bail application, which he filed under a certificate of urgency, Sandile told the court that he would plead not guilty during trial.

“I will demonstrate that I am being made a scapegoat relating to the widespread matter of Ecsponent and/or emaSwati losing money, which they had invested with the said company,” he argued.

Sandile is represented by Mxolisi Moses Dlamini of Dynasty Attorneys.