By Lwazi Dlamini
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has assured the nation and the world at large, that His Majesty’s Government now has a good lead on who is behind the leakages of information from the Eswatini Financial Intelligence Unit (EFIU).
Dubbed ‘Swazi secrets’, the cross-border smear campaign reporting claimed to expose the vulnerability of Eswatini’s financial institutions with 890,000 internal records from the Eswatini Financial Intelligence Unit.
Addressing members of the Editor’s Forum during a breakfast meeting held at Mountain Inn on Thursday, the Premier said what had happened was not hacking but rather a leakage of information.
“We are on top of it. It was meant to destroy but the evil has been turned to be good. The direct opposite is what has happened. We have got a good lead on who is behind it and why.
ALSO READ: Prime Minister highlights need to address the gap between senior and junior nurses
I can’t say anything more as it may jeopardize the ongoing investigations,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the Eswatini Financial Intelligence Unit had reported the matter to the law enforcement agencies who are currently conducting an investigation on it.
“The EFIU is mandated by the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act of 2011 to receive, analyse and disseminate suspicious transaction reports from accountable institutions.
The establishment of FIUs reflects a strategic response to the evolving landscape of financial crime, providing a centralized hub for the evaluation and dissemination of critical financial data to law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Dlamini assured the nation that the Unit is still fit and has significantly strengthened the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework.
“By serving as a centralized hub for financial intelligence, the EFIU enables a proactive detection and disruption of illicit financial activities, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the Nation’s financial system,” the Premier added.
Impasse on drugs supply now cleared – PM
The lack of drugs in hospitals countrywide could soon be a thing of the past as Government is making steady headways in resolving the drugs and medical supplies shortages.
The assurance was made by the Prime Minister during a meeting with the Editor’s Forum at Mountain Inn on Thursday.
ALSO READ: Ae Trade Group meets Prime Minister, strengthens commitment to Eswatini
In his opening remarks, the Premier said the impasse on the supply of drugs has been cleared and more health centres are reporting to have received diverse drugs, especially vital ones.
“Many suppliers were paid hence the total amount owed to drug suppliers was significantly reduced.
The major problems in the health sector are beyond the unavailability of drugs in hospitals and health centres.
The major problem is the life-threatening impact that the shortage of drugs has on people.
Government continues to look for solutions to eliminate other compounding factors such as inherent bureaucracy and inefficiencies,” he added.
