MBABANE – The five Filipino women, who were arrested among scores of other foreign nationals, say they were employed by Xwin (Proprietary) Limited in the Philippines, then transferred to Eswatini and promised a promotion and a significant salary increase.
The accused women made this allegation in their urgent application for bail, which they filed in the High Court. They are Trishia Mae Legaspi, Keziah Shem Bitagan, Morano Sheila, Maricar Langue and Greem Del Henmino. The women are currently detained at the Mawelawela Correctional Services. They allege that they are not accustomed to the food that is provided at the Correctional facility and, as a result, some of them have gone without meals for days.
The application, dated April 8, 2026, was scheduled to be heard yesterday. The accused are represented by Noncedo Ndlangamandla of Mabila Attorneys in association with N. Ndlangamandla and S. Jele. According to the founding affidavit deposed to by Legaspi, the group was arrested on March 20, 2026, at Woodlands in the Hhohho Region by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service. They were initially charged with contravening the Immigration Act No. 17 of 1982. These charges allege that the applicants entered and remained in Eswatini without valid permits and engaged in unauthorised employment or business.
The charges were subsequently amended to include contravening the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act 6 of 2011 and contravening the Gaming Control Act No. 7 of 2022.
The Crown alleges the applicants unlawfully possessed or used E902 638.80, knowing the funds were derived from illegal acts under the Immigration Act.
In their affidavits, the accused women state that they were previously employed as customer service consultants for a company known as Xwin in the Philippines. They state that they were informed of a transfer to Eswatini, which included a promotion and a significant salary increase. Legaspi stated that the employer was responsible for all travelling and accommodation arrangements, and that they submitted their passports for the processing of entry and work permits.
The group, according to Legaspi, arrived in Eswatini through King Mswati III International Airport and was transported to their residence. The applicants maintained that at the time of their arrest, they were awaiting induction and had not yet met with management or commenced work. They further stated that they had not received any remuneration at the time of the police intervention.
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... employees demand outstanding salaries after company ‘closure’
MBABANE – Local employees of Xwin (Proprietary) Limited are demanding payment of outstanding salaries and have since approached the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and CMAC.
They indicated that they intended to also approach the police to present their grievances. They are demanding the immediate payment of outstanding remuneration and statutory benefits from the company. The demand follows the abrupt temporary cessation of the company’s operations on March 23, 2026, which occurred after police raids linked to investigations into illegal online gambling.
The letter, dated March 31, 2026, and authored by the Xwin Workers Council, states that the company has failed to fulfil its legal obligations under the Employment Act of Eswatini. The employees pointed out that they are entitled to full settlement of all dues, which they identify as: Outstanding salaries and wages, accrued but unused leave pay, notice pay, severance or terminal benefits and other contractual or statutory entitlements.
The Workers Council gave the company a period of seven days to settle these obligations. The letter warns that failure to comply will result in the matter being escalated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which they did yesterday.
However, they informed this publication that they will return to the ministry tomorrow after being told that the relevant people to assist them were not in yesterday.
Their letter also states that if the company does not pay them as they demand, they will also escalate the matter to the Industrial Court to recover outstanding amounts along with interest and legal costs.
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Trishia Mae Legaspi, Keziah Shem Bitagan, Morano Sheila, Maricar Langue and Greem Del Henmino have applied for bail in the High Court. (Pic: Kwanele Dlamini)