MBABANE – To fast-track the deportation process to their home countries, a second group of convicted foreign nationals has offered to facilitate the purchase of their own plane tickets.
The group comprises 32 nationals from China, Myanmar (also referred to as Burma) and Thailand who were arrested at Forbes Reef during a police raid targeting illegal online gambling activities in March 2026. They were found guilty yesterday by Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi for being in the country illegally.
The accused were sentenced to six months imprisonment, with an option of a fine of E500. The court proceedings did not include prosecution on alleged money laundering offences. The accused were represented by Linda Dlamini of Linda Dlamini and Associates, who appeared alongside Sifiso Jele of S.M. Jele Attorneys.
During proceedings, Dlamini informed the court that his clients were willing to assist in expediting their removal from Eswatini by funding their own air tickets back to their respective countries. He submitted that deportation through government processes could take longer, and that private arrangements would speed up the process.
It was further noted in court that there had been delays and operational challenges in the deportation of a previous group of foreign nationals who were arrested at the Castle Hotel.
The court also observed that convicts may be allowed to purchase their own flight tickets, citing constraints on government resources in handling deportation logistics.
The foreign nationals apologised to the authorities for their conduct and gave undertakings not to engage in similar offences in Eswatini in future. A similar apology had previously been made by another group of 84 foreign nationals linked to the Castle Hotel case.
According to the charge sheet, the 32 accused persons include Xu Chen Nan, Pu Ran, Li Jie, Shi Fu Sheng, Zhou Wei, Yang Zeming, He Guoyin, Zi Hai Wei, Haung Lie Long, Wei Mengfei, Twan Khin Phyint, Wei Lang, Zhao Jun, Xiang Xiaowei, Chen Tao, Yi Zhuyang, Qi Benguang, Wang Ming, Qin Meiling, Chen Hao, Gao Liyang, He Shi Xin, Li Dongdong, Luo Chengzhen, Chen Li, Wang Ming (second entry), Zhao Jing, Shen Shixia, Yuan Weiping, Shi Fengfeng, Twan Kyin Main and Sritharat Phatchari.
The group consists of nationals from the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Myanmar, and the Kingdom of Thailand.
The charge sheet states that the accused were arrested on or about March 20, 2026, at Forbes Reef in the Nkhaba area of the Hhohho Region. Some references also include the Castle Hotel area within the same jurisdiction.
Each of the accused faced charges under section 14(2)(c) of the Immigration Act No. 17 of 1982, relating to unlawful entry and remaining in Eswatini without valid permits or licences, as well as section 14(2)(f), relating to engaging in employment, trade, occupation, business or profession without authorisation.
The charges were structured in repeated pairs across the group, with some accused persons each facing similar allegations of unlawful entry and unlawful engagement in work-related activities. All offences were recorded as occurring on or about March 20, 2026, at Forbes Reef, Nkhaba area.
Two were also linked to additional references involving the Castle Hotel and Forbes Reef Hotel areas, where similar allegations were recorded under the same immigration provisions.
The court record indicates that all 32 accused were processed under similar legal frameworks, with charges consistently framed under the Immigration Act. The offences occurred within the Hhohho Region at or near Forbes Reef, with multiple references to the same locality.
The group was sentenced to six months imprisonment, with an alternative of paying a fine of E500 each. The court proceedings excluded any prosecution relating to money laundering allegations.
Following sentencing, legal representatives informed the court that the accused intended to facilitate their own deportation by funding travel arrangements. The proposal was made in response to delays experienced in the deportation of a previous group of foreign nationals.
The court noted logistical challenges in deportation processes and acknowledged the possibility of alternative arrangements, including self-funded travel by convicts, given limited government resources.
All 32 individuals apologised for the offences and undertook not to repeat similar conduct within the country.
The Chinese, Myanma and Thai nationals who were convicted for being in Eswatini illegally have offered to buy their flight tickets home.