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MBABANE – Police have seized 313 electronic gadgets in the multi-site operation targeting foreign nationals suspected of illegal gambling activities.
These included laptops, cellular phones, computer monitors, central processing units (CPUs) and WiFi routers. Investigations revealed that these devices were used for illegal online gambling, computer-related fraud, extortion and money laundering.
According to the principal investigator, Detective Inspector Akhona Dludlu of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), the gadgets were recovered during a series of coordinated operations carried out between March 11 and March 23, 2026, at different premises in and around Mbabane. Inspector Dludlu disclosed this in an affidavit where the State is vigorously opposing bail applications of the arrested foreign nationals.
The investigator states that the operation began after police received intelligence about suspicious activities at The Castle Hotel. Acting jointly with immigration officials and officers from the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS), police descended on the premises where they allegedly found 85 foreign nationals from countries including China, Brazil, Indonesia, Cambodia and Taiwan.
Dludlu highlighted that investigations revealed that 55 of the Chinese nationals did not possess valid visas or permits, while one Cambodian national was found without a passport. He submitted that the group had booked the entire hotel, including conference facilities, and paid rentals amounting to over E708 000 in February alone.
Police allege that the individuals were engaged in employment using fraudulent work permits and were operating an unlicensed gaming business, in contravention of the Gaming Act.
The operation intensified on March 20 when officers followed up on further intelligence at Umushi Wenkosazana Resort at Hawane. It is at this location that the largest cache of gadgets was discovered.
According to Dludlu, 205 electronic gadgets were seized at the resort.
At the same premises, police reportedly found 32 foreign nationals from China, Myanmar and Thailand. The affidavit claims that the majority of them were in the country illegally, either without visas, with expired permits or with documents suspected to have been unlawfully issued.
The investigator further submitted that large sums of money in different currencies, including Emalangeni, US Dollars, Chinese Yuan and other Asian currencies, were recovered at the scene. The group is said to have paid E540 000 in cash for renting the resort.
On the same day, police conducted another raid at a private residence at Woodlands, Mbabane. There they allegedly found 14 foreign nationals from China, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Dludlu states that 54 electronic gadgets were recovered from this residence. These devices, similar to those found at the resort, were allegedly used for illegal gambling and related cybercrimes.
He alleged that most of the individuals at the residence were in the country illegally, with expired permits or fraudulently obtained documentation. The premises had reportedly been rented for E48 000.
Three days later, on March 23, police moved to premises linked to XWin (Pty) Ltd at Madlenya House. Six foreign nationals from Vietnam, Myanmar and India were allegedly found on site.
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MBABANE – The use of multiple currencies, fraudulent permits and a suspected kingpin has emerged as one of the most shocking aspects of the ongoing investigation.
According to the affidavit by Detective Inspector Akhona Dludlu, police investigations uncovered what is described as a sophisticated and well-funded operation allegedly spanning multiple locations and involving dozens of foreign nationals.
One of the most striking revelations is the alleged movement and handling of large sums of money in different currencies. Inspector Dludlu submitted that during investigations they recovered cash in Emalangeni, US dollars, Chinese Yuan, Vietnamese Dong, Indonesian Rupiah, Cambodian Riel and Myanmar Kyat.
Another concerning aspect highlighted in the affidavit is the alleged widespread use of fraudulent immigration documents. Dludlu claims that several suspects entered the country without visas, overstayed their permits or obtained documentation through unlawful means.
In some cases, individuals reportedly had their passports stamped upon arrival but failed to secure the required permits. Others are alleged to have obtained visas shortly after entry under suspicious circumstances.
Particularly alarming, according to the investigator, is the case of the applicant, Li Peng Chi, whose Class F entry permit is said to have been issued without following due process. The affidavit states that there is no physical file supporting the issuance of this permit within the relevant government department.
The affidavit also alleges that the applicant is not merely a participant but the central figure in the operation. Dludlu claims that he is the 'kingpin' behind XWin (Pty) Ltd operations at Woodlands and Madlenya House, and that he played a key role in financing and coordinating activities at other sites.
Evidence cited includes rental payments, company records and digital data allegedly linking him to the illegal operations. The investigator further claims that the applicant personally paid significant rental amounts, including E540 000 in cash for the Hawane Resort.
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MBABANE – Some of the foreign nationals who were arrested during raids at illegal online gambling centres say they accepted job offers in Eswatini due to poverty and lack of employment in their home countries.
Four women, Truong Thu Nga (Vietnam), Vu Thi Hoai Thanh (Vietnam), Myo Wint War Swe (Myanmar) and Theimmwae P. Sone (Malaysia) made this claim in their application for bail in the High Court. The quartet, represented by Noncedo Ndlangamandla of Mabila Attorneys, joins over 30 other foreign nationals who have so far applied for bail. The 146 accused persons have spent at least a month in custody at Castle Hotel, Woodlands, Hawane and Madlenya House. They are awaiting trial on May 1 and 5, 2026, before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi at Mbabane Magistrates Court.
Their application for bail details the circumstances leading to their arrest and their subsequent detention at Mawelawela Correctional Services. Their legal representative, Ndlangamandla, has argued that the matter requires urgent judicial attention not only because it concerns personal liberty, but also due to the dire conditions the applicants face in custody. According to the filed papers, the applicants are struggling with the dietary provisions at the Correctional facility, which are unfamiliar to them. They have reportedly relied on fellow countrymen to provide meals, leading to instances of hunger when such support is unavailable.
The quartet was arrested on March 20 at Madlenya Building in Mbabane. They face several charges, including contravening the Immigration Act of 1982 by entering and remaining in Eswatini without valid permits and engaging in unauthorised trade or business. Furthermore, they are charged under the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act and the Gaming Control Act of 2022.
The prosecution alleged that the accused, acting in common purpose with others, were in possession of E902 638.80, which is suspected to be the proceeds of illegal activities. The Crown asserted that these funds were discovered at Woodlands and Madlenya Building. However, in their affidavits, the applicants have vehemently denied these allegations. They contend that no money was found in their possession at the time of their arrest and label the money laundering and gaming charges as fabrications intended to prolong their detention.
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