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SENIOR SOLDIERS IMPLICATED IN FINGERPRINTS SCANDAL

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MBABANE- Prominent army officials have also been fingered in the fingerprints clearance scandal.


Although their names are not mentioned in the indictment that has been filed  at the High Court, one witness disclosed that he approached some prominent officials within the army who then assisted him to have his fingerprints record cleared. 


This witness wanted to join the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).
According to the witness, he stated that he was convicted for assault and in the year 2005 wanted to join the army.
In his sworn statement which now forms part of the Crown’s evidence, the witness mentioned that he was told he was not eligible to join the army as he had a criminal record.


“This witness then talked to some prominent people (within the army) who assisted him. One year later, he wanted to travel to Uganda. The criminal record was again sorted by some officers in the army,” reads part of the indictment.
This witness is now in gainful employment as a soldier.
In the indictment a number of witnesses narrated how they joined the army after their fingerprints records were unlawfully cleared by the accused.


Recently it was revealed in court that the executive of the Royal Swaziland Police had been reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in connection to the fingerprints case.


According to the amended indictment filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), it was not only members of the armed forces and teachers who benefitted, but individuals who are now directors of big companies who also had their criminal  records cleared to get jobs.

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