Africa-Press – Eswatini. Kareem Ashraff,the powerful and politically connected SwaziPharm Director who is allegedly implicated in the multibillion looting of public,resulting to the shortage of drugs in public hospitals,has written a letter to Khanyakwezwe Mabuza,the Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Health,demanding to know why “he is being summoned” by the Parliament Public Accounts Committee(PAC).
The PAC is a public accountability wing of the Legislative Arm of Government,enforcing reports of the Auditor General(AG), Ashraff’s companies were implicated in a forensic report released by Funduzi Forensic Services and a Ministry of Health Financial Report tabled before the PAC.
The investigation report compiled by Funduzi Forensic Services came subsequent to an investigation commissioned by the Auditor General(AG) through the Ministry of Finance,as per a Parliament resolution.
But in the letter dated 25th July 2024,Kareem Ashraff pretended as if he had no objection to appear before the PAC,however,he then made demands that demonstrated his systematic unwillingness,the letter “appears to have been written” with the assistance of lawyers.
“The Directors of SwaziPharm Wholesale(Pty) Limited have no objection to appearing before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. We have had regard to the nature and functions of the PAC and understand that in the ordinary course, they do not have jurisdiction over private entities but owing to the fact that they may make recommendations which will be acted upon by the Executive arm of Government,we have considered it prudent that we submit to their processes.To enable us to prepare for the proposed meeting, we would appreciate your furnishing us with the following: A copy of the Ministry of Health Financial Report 2022/2023 that has been tabled before the PAC so that we can obtain context as to the issues that we are required to address. A copy of the recommendation and/or comments that have been made by the Ministry of Health pursuant to the reports”, reads the letter in part addressed to the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health.
SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff declined to comment about the matter while Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
But a former Cabinet Minister told on Wednesday evening that, Ashraff was systematically refusing or delaying to appear before the PAC by saying Parliament does not have jurisdiction over private companies.
“Once you tender for Government and receive public funds,then the Parliament Public Accounts Committee(PAC) has jurisdiction to hold you and your company accountable”, said the former Cabinet Minister.
SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff stands accused of looting billions within the Ministry of Health, resulting to the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.
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