Two local directors of X-Win have been arrested after police allegedly found them in possession of about E10 million during a crackdown on illegal gambling activities in the country.
Ncobile Mncina (30) of Makholokholo and Ntuthuko Fakudze (43) of Mangwaneni appeared before Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi yesterday facing five charges linked to the alleged illegal gambling operation previously uncovered at Woodlands. The arrests come in the wake of an ongoing police investigation into suspected illegal gambling activities involving several foreign nationals who were earlier apprehended in connection with the same matter.
During their court appearance, the two directors were represented by their lawyer, Linda Dlamini.
According to the charge sheet, the accused face five counts including contravening the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act No. 6 of 2011. Count one alleges that at Woodlands and Madlenya Building in the Hhohho region, the accused, either individually or jointly and acting in furtherance of a common purpose with other accused persons yet to be joined in the matter, unlawfully acquired, possessed or used an amount of US$593 355.55 (about E10 million).
It is alleged that the accused knew or had reason to believe that the money was derived directly or indirectly from an unlawful act or omission committed within the country.
The second count relates to the alleged contravention of the Gaming Control Act No. 7 of 2022. The charge sheet states that on or about March 20, and near Woodlands, the accused, acting either individually or jointly in furtherance of a common purpose with other accused persons to be co-joined, unlawfully engaged in a gaming event or contingency without being licensed to do so.
It is further alleged that the accused participated in gaming activities without holding a licence or working with a holder of a valid licence permitted under the Act to engage in such activities.
The third count also relates to the alleged contravention of the Gaming Control Act No. 7 of 2022.
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The court heard that during or about March 2026, at or near Madlenya Building in the Hhohho region, the accused persons again allegedly engaged in unlawful gaming activities. The charge sheet states that the accused, either individually or jointly, allegedly conducted or participated in gaming events without authorisation from a licensed operator, thereby contravening the provisions of the Gaming Control Act.
In count four, the accused are charged with contravening the Trading Licences Order of 1975. It is alleged that between February 11 and March, at or near Woodlands, the accused persons unlawfully operated a gaming business without being holders of a valid trading licence or permit.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly operated the business jointly and in furtherance of a common purpose with other people who are expected to be joined in the matter.
The fifth count relates to an alleged contravention of the Immigration Act No. 17 of 1982.
The charge sheet alleges that between February and March, at or near Woodlands, the accused unlawfully employed several foreign nationals without proper authorisation as required by law.
The individuals allegedly employed without valid entry permits or exemptions under Section 14(2)(f) of the Act include Greem Del Henmino, King Lucion, Trishia Logaspi, Keziah Shem Bitagan, Maricar Langue, Nikko Almonte, John Rick Boscal, Shiel Morano, Christian Jay Del Rosario and Anthony Dollette, all from the Philippines.
Others named in the charge sheet are Jacklyn Mario Tandrian of Indonesia; Li Cong Chang, Su Zhi Feng and Cheng Hong Yu from the Republic of China; Vu Thi Hoai Thaoh and Truong Thunga from Vietnam; Theimmwae P Sone from Malaysia; Myo Wtntwrerswe and Le Man from Myanmar and Inzaman Patel from India.
It is alleged that these individuals were employed by the accused without being authorised by valid entry permits or exemptions as required under the Immigration Act.
During the court proceedings, the Crown applied for the accused to be remanded in custody until Friday. The application was made to allow the State time to join the two accused with other suspects who are also linked to the same investigation.
The magistrate granted the application and ordered that the accused remain in custody pending further proceedings.
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The case is linked to an earlier court appearance involving one of the company directors, Nhlanhla Tsabedze, who is currently out on bail.
Tsabedze recently filed an urgent application at the High Court seeking an order directing the police to immediately restore the company’s peaceful possession of its premises located at Madlenya House.
In his application, Tsabedze stated that the company is a fully Swati-owned entity. He told the High Court that the company’s directors are himself, Ncobile Mncina and Ntuthuko Fakudze, all of whom are citizens of Eswatini.
Tsabedze further argued in the application that the company had been operating its business lawfully prior to the police intervention, however, the application was dismissed by the High Court.
The accused are expected to appear again on Friday when the matter returns to court for possible joinder with other accused connected to the case.
