MANZINI – In a major anti-corruption crackdown, Thulani Richard Ashley Kunene, a Senior Extension Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, has been arrested and charged with 106 criminal counts including corruption, fraud, theft, and money laundering.
The arrest was executed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) after obtaining a warrant from Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala. Kunene is accused of defrauding the Eswatini government of at least E133,900 through a scheme that reportedly operated between February and November 2017.
Fraudulent Scheme Exposed
According to the charge sheet, Kunene allegedly misrepresented himself as an authorised government representative collecting payments from Mncedisi Trevor Mabuza, a mushroom farmer associated with Vibrant Mushrooms.
Kunene is said to have prepared fake tax invoices—not authorised by the government—and presented them as official receipts. These counterfeit invoices were allegedly stamped with a Ministry of Agriculture date stamp to appear legitimate.
Believing he was paying for government services, Mabuza reportedly handed over the money in cash directly to Kunene. However, the funds were never deposited into official government accounts and were allegedly diverted for Kunene’s personal use.
Charges Detail a Systematic Operation
The 106 charges filed against Kunene cover multiple counts of:
Corruption
Fraud
Theft
Money laundering
For each count of corruption, there are alternative charges of fraud and theft. Authorities argue that Kunene’s deliberate deception of Mabuza, preparation of false documents, and unlawful cash handling constitute criminal offences that undermined public trust and deprived the state of revenue.
Money Laundering Allegations
Kunene is also facing charges of money laundering, accused of knowingly acquiring and using funds derived from the unlawful scheme. Investigators claim he was fully aware of the illegality of his actions and worked to conceal the origins of the stolen money.
Investigation Ongoing
The ACC continues its investigation into the matter, and court proceedings are expected to unfold in the coming weeks. Officials have underscored that this case highlights the ongoing fight against corruption in public service, especially in revenue-generating departments.
