Crime

MBABANE - A pastor has been arrested alongside a civil servant and two businessmen in connection with the manufacture of fraudulent documents, including motor vehicle registration certificates, bail receipts and fine receipts.

Pastor Thulani Dlamini has been detained together with Sifiso Kunene (49) of Old Extension 3, Ndumiso ‘Kaizer’ Dlamini (44) of Mahwalala, Sanele ‘Phishaphisha’ Lukhele (39) of Old Sitseni and Mhlonishwa Mkhatshwa (23) of Old Sandla.

Information gathered indicates that the man of God and his co-accused were apprehended after allegedly producing a fake bail receipt, which was subsequently presented at the Sidwashini Correctional Services for the release of Fortune Shongwe.

It is reported that the production of the fraudulent receipt at the Correctional facility prompted an investigation by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) through the Financial and Economic Unit, which then exposed and dismantled a syndicate involved in the production of fraudulent documents.

The fraudulent activities were allegedly conducted in an office located at the Commercial Centre in Mbabane.

Police investigations uncovered that Kunene was the mastermind behind the production of the fraudulent receipts, which were issued to the public, to the detriment of the Eswatini Government Treasury Department. Preliminary police investigations revealed that Kunene had been stealing government stationery used to produce the fraudulent documents.

Kunene appeared in court alongside his co-accused yesterday. Currently, they face two counts of fraud. In the first count, it is alleged that the accused persons misrepresented to Jewel Chauke that a bail receipt no: 1224668 of Mbabane Magistrates Court case no: 122/2025, for an accused person, Fortune Shongwe, was authentic and had been issued by the Eswatini Government Treasury Department for Shongwe’s release at the Sidwashini Correctional Services.

Full article available in our publication.

The alleged syndicate being taken back to the Mbabane Police Station after their remand. (Pic: Sibusiso Shange)