Africa-Press – Eswatini. An independent investigation has covered that, SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff, the powerful and politically connected businessman who stands accused of looting billions within the Ministry of Health resulting in the shortage of drugs in public hospitals, is an alleged friend to Taiwan Ambassador Jeremy Liang and that, they consistently communicates when manipulating State funded projects for personal gain.
It has been disclosed that, before the signing of the R5.2billion Strategic Oil Reserve project agreement with Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Ashraff and the Taiwan Ambassador were holding meetings in Mbabane to discuss the project marred by allegations of corruption.
But soon thereafter, the politically connected businessman of Indonesian origin, allegedly assisted the Taiwan Ambassador in lobbying some Members of Parliament(MPs) who are on his side, to approve the project.
It remains unclear how will Ashraff benefit from this project but, preliminary findings of this investigation suggests that, he might sub-contract and work with the Taiwan company awarded the tender to construct the Oil Reserve.
Documents suggest that, it will not be the first time for Ashraff to benefit from such huge projects, one of his companies previously worked with a Taiwan company-CECI Consulting Engineers during the construction of the Royal Science and Technology Park(RSTP) where millions of public funds were allegedly looted.
Savannah Maziya, the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology(ICT) subsequently launched a forensic investigation subsequent to a series of investigative articles public by this publication.
Reached for comments, Taiwan Ambassador Jeremy Liang said he can’t comment, referring comments to the eSwatini Government.
“I can’t talk, please speak to the Government when enquiring about such issues,” said the Ambassador.
But Kareem Ashraff and Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli declined to comment.
On another note, the widely reported R5.2billion Strategic Oil Reserve project approved by Parliament, was marred by allegations of corruption, Government rejected a Botswana company that agreed to construct the Oil Reserve with R2.2billion in “favour of a Taiwan company that will collect R5.2billion public funds for the same project”.
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