E1M IN SUSPECTED DAGGA DEALER’S 10 ACCOUNTS

MBABANE - The State has seized properties belonging to an alleged dagga dealer who has 10 bank accounts.

A sum of E1 052 120.04 was reportedly discovered in various bank accounts belonging to the alleged dagga dealer.
An order warranting government to preserve the properties belonging to Bongani Mbuso ‘Highlander’ Dlamini of KaNcesi in northern Hhohho was issued by Judge Nkosinanthi Maseko yesterday. 

This, after the director of public prosecutions (DPP) moved an application for a preservation order in terms of Section 42 of the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act (POCA) of 2018.

Shares

The items which were taken from Dlamini included cash  amounting to E256 639.45,  cash in various bank accounts totalling E1 052 120.04, permanent shares belonging to Dlamini amounting to E229 208.76  held at the Swaziland Building Society, immovable property situated in Pigg’s Peak, Malanda, white BMW 320i, black BMW registered Sbu, Toyota Quantum and various household items.

Dlamini’s household items, which are now under the custodianship of government, include brown sofas (three piece), three piece brown wall unit, black LG radio system, black Hisense TV set, brown coffee table, four cream white bedroom suites, black and grey Panasonic TV set, treadmill, LG microwave, two beds and white deep freezer.

In  motivating the grant of the order, Crown Counsel Thulani Mamba submitted that in a nutshell, the relevant facts showed that the properties were proceeds of illegal activities; dagga dealing.

Giving a background of the matter, Mamba stated that the police received information that Dlamini (33), though never been employed in his life, was living a luxurious life and had acquired expensive immovable and movable property. He told the court that a statement confirming that Dlamini was never employed was taken from Indvuna of the area Makwaya Daniel Shabangu.

Unemployment

“Investigations into Dlamini’s life were opened to find out how he acquired the assets in the face of his unemployment background. The investigation has been triggered by intelligence information with regard to various cross border deposits into his First National Bank accounts,” submitted the prosecutor.
He informed the court that there were 10 bank accounts linked to Dlamini, four of which were held at FNB Swaziland alone. Mamba pointed out that the other bank accounts were held with Nedbank Eswatini, Standard Bank and Swaziland Building Society.

Mamba highlighted that Dlamini had a business cheque account held at FNB under the name Sonkhe Spare Parts. According to the Crown counsel, as at June 2020 the credit balance of the account was a whopping E532 110. He contended that quite noticeably, most of the deposits into that account were cross border transactions from private individuals.

“There is also an account held at Nedbank under the disguise name of Sonkhe Spare Parts wherein numerous cash deposits have been made by private individuals. As at June 23, 2020, there was a sum of E172 599.90 as per bank statement,” averred Mamba.
He went on to inform the court that there was also an account held at Swaziland Building Society and as per the bank statement dated June 24, 2020 the permanent shares amounted to E229 208.76.
Mamba stated that pursuant to these findings, the investigating team then went on to seek an order to be furnished with the bank statements/financial records relating to Dlamini and it was granted.
“It is submitted that the bank statements reflect that the interested party (Dlamini) received monies from the Republic of South Africa. Such deposits are structured in amounts between E1 000 – E3 000, a sequence synonymous with money launderers or dealers in illegal narcotics when placing dirty money into the financial system,” submitted the prosecutor.
Investigations
Mamba highlighted that further investigations were carried out with Eswatini Revenue Authority to ascertain tax compliance of Dlamini, but results turned out to be negative. According to Mamba, investigations revealed that Dlamini was not registered for tax purposes.
“The investigation team further discovered that there was no known source of employment of either Dlamini or his girlfriend/spouse; neither is there any registered business in their names,” alleged the Crown counsel.
He told the court that the said Sonkhe Spare Parts alleged to be operating in Pigg’s Peak, was merely a façade. Mamba said Sonkhe Spare Parts was non-operational business registered with the registrar of companies.

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