MBABANE – A plan is underway to secure a larger venue for the trial of approximately 140 foreign nationals arrested for alleged illegal gambling in the country.
This follows sessions at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, where the current courtroom has proven too small to accommodate the proceedings. Consequently, many supporters of the accused have been forced to stand outside. The foreign nationals face multiple charges, including money laundering and being in the country illegally.
The accused were arrested at various locations, including Madlenya House, Hawane, Woodlands and Castle Hotel. Notably, it was also gathered that some of the arrested individuals had been reported missing in their home countries. The group currently facing trial includes individuals from a wide range of countries, specifically Mainland China, Taiwan, Brazil, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Philippines.
This publication also reported that this legal action follows extensive raids by the Royal Eswatini Police Service, aimed at dismantling a sophisticated pig-butchering syndicate. The publication has detailed how the operation allegedly used makeshift call centres and digital workstations to conduct illegal online gambling and fraud. Investigations by the Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that many of the suspects entered the country illegally, with some found in possession of questionable national identity documents.
Furthermore, the Times of Eswatini reported that some of those apprehended were found to have been registered as missing persons in their home countries, while others appear on Interpol’s red list for similar offenses globally.
During their remand appearance on Friday before Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi, the accused were transported in His Majesty’s Correctional Services trucks. Heavy armed security was stationed throughout the court premises. The foreign nationals were brought before the court in groups, categorised by their place of arrest, such as those from Madlenya House and Hawane.
The group arrested at Castle Hotel appeared before the court to receive a trial date. While the Crown prosecutor noted that available dates are scarce, he suggested a date after May 29, 2026. He proposed June 12, 2026 for the trial, a date which defence attorney Linda Dlamini accepted.
Dlamini inquired where the trial would be held, noting that his clients’ supporters have complained about being unable to follow proceedings due to the cramped courtroom. In response, Magistrate Nhlabatsi stated that the court registrar is planning to use Judge Mlangeni’s courtroom, which is significantly larger.
Nhlabatsi also mentioned that, following feedback from one police officer while they were in her office regarding the logistical challenges of bringing all the accused to court at once, she is considering separating the male and female accused persons.
Some of the arrested foreigners hiding their faces from the camera. (Pic: Mnelisi Dlamini)