MBABANE – A syndicate allegedly behind the illegal sale of Eswatini Nation Land has been exposed.
Investigators found that the network operated for about two years, selling Eswatini Nation Land to unsuspecting emaSwati and generating E1 662 550 through a coordinated scheme involving bank transfers, mobile money and cash payments.
The operation is reported to have functioned as a structured syndicate which used multiple financial channels to disguise the flow of money, while distributing proceeds among several individuals and converting part of the funds into assets such as vehicles and property.
The alleged activities were based at Mphini, where land is said to have been sold without the knowledge or approval of Chief Prince Mesuli.
It is understood that the matter came to light after the chief reported individuals, who were allegedly allocating and selling land without his consent, prompting investigations into the transactions.
Police subsequently traced suspicious financial movements which pointed to a wider network of individuals allegedly involved in the scheme. Financial records examined by investigators revealed that one account received deposits totalling E1 662 550 between January 2024 and January 2026. Many of the payments carried references such as ‘land payment’, ‘Mphini Royal Kraal’ and ‘Indlunkhulu’.
Investigators reveal that the funds were not processed through any official structures responsible for administering Eswatini Nation Land, but were instead circulated among individuals connected to the operation. Further analysis of banking records reportedly showed that E234 250 was transferred to other individuals believed to be part of the network.
Several persons whose names appeared in the records were later interviewed by investigators as part of the probe. Among those interviewed were Tenele Dlamini, Happy Mavimbela, Nkosinathi Ndzinisa, Mduduzi Mbuyisa, Gugu Matiwane, Nomsa Lushaba and Delsile Khumalo. Investigations revealed that the individuals confirmed that they had made payments in exchange for land which they believed had been lawfully allocated.
Some of the land was allegedly sold in square metres, with payments made through bank deposits, mobile money transfers and cash transactions. While some buyers agreed to provide sworn statements, others reportedly declined, citing fear of possible repercussions.
It was found that the operation involved multiple participants performing different roles over an extended period. During investigations, it was found that some of the members of the alleged syndicate were bucopho or members and former members of the inner council and one of them is reportedly a member of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force. This is contained in the court documents, where the investigator highlights how the whole scheme operated.
The structure of the alleged network is said to have been divided into roles ranging from those identifying and allocating the land, to those collecting payments and others facilitating the movement of funds through different channels. Investigators believe this division of labour was meant to create a layer of separation between the source of the land and the financial beneficiaries of the scheme.
The probe later extended to how the proceeds were used, including interviews with a builder identified as Dlamini.
He allegedly told investigators that he was contracted to construct a shopping complex linked to one of the individuals under investigation. He further claimed that before completion, he was redirected to build a residential property belonging to the individual’s wife.
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