Thirty-six foreign nationals who were arrested for the alleged involvement in an illegal online gambling syndicate are now facing a new hurdle.
They were subsequently fined E500 each for contravening the Immigration Act. Several airlines have allegedly flagged them, complicating Eswatini government’s efforts to arrange their departure from the kingdom.
This is according to impeccable sources who revealed that government had challenges in securing flights for the foreign nationals after airlines and other stakeholders reportedly questioned how the first group of 17 deportees was allowed to travel on commercial flights alongside other passengers.
It is said the concerns were raised after the first group of foreign nationals had already left the country through the King Mswati III International Airport over a month ago.
The foreign nationals are mainly from the People’s Republic of China.
The High Court had previously granted them an order to exit the country within 48 hours. However, the High Court order was then appealed.
The sources claimed that correspondence was subsequently sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant stakeholders seeking an explanation on how government had facilitated the departure of the nationals and allowed them to travel on the same aircraft as ordinary passengers.
“The ministry was contacted and an inquiry was launched on how Eswatini had facilitated the travelling of the foreign nationals to be on board with citizens and other passengers on the plane,” alleged a source.
The source said the concerns emerged a few days after reports were published indicating that Brazilian nationals had left the country through King Mswati III International Airport.
“It unfolded a few days after articles were published stating that some Brazilian nationals who are part of the alleged online gambling syndicate had since left the country through the KM III Airport,” the source alleged.
The development has reportedly complicated the departure arrangements for the remaining foreign nationals who are required to leave the country following their arrest over alleged illegal gambling activities.
The exact number of airlines that have flagged the nationals, as well as the specific reasons for the alleged flagging, could not be immediately established.
However, the Ministry of Home Affairs said negotiations with airlines were underway to facilitate the departure of the remaining foreign nationals.
On Wednesday, Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini said the matter was complicated, but assured the public that more information would be provided once all the nationals had left the country.
“The issue of the foreign nationals is complicated and the ministry will reveal more on the issue once all the nationals have left the country,” Dlamini said.
He said the ministry was currently engaging airlines regarding the departure arrangements.
“We are negotiating with airlines on their departure and the nation will be notified once they have left the country,” Dlamini said.
He further explained that government was conscious of the need to protect the reputation and integrity of the airlines involved in transporting the foreign nationals.
“As government, we want to protect the integrity of the airlines,” he said.
He also clarified that the foreign nationals were responsible for purchasing their own air tickets in line with the court’s directive.
Government’s efforts to facilitate the departure of the nationals come after the courts ordered those affected to leave the country following proceedings linked to the alleged illegal gambling activities.
The situation has placed the Ministry of Home Affairs at the centre of complex logistical arrangements involving immigration authorities, airlines and the foreign nationals themselves.
While the ministry has not disclosed which airlines have allegedly flagged the nationals or the nature of the concerns raised, officials maintained that negotiations were continuing so as to ensure that the remaining nationals were able to return to their respective home countries.
The ministry has also not disclosed when the remaining foreign nationals are expected to leave the country, saying the public would be informed once the departures had been completed.
