Curekind Pharmaceuticals, a company whose directors are facing criminal charges including money laundering and tax evasion, was among the bidders under the ministry of health’s tender no. 2 of 2025/26 for the supply of critical medicines and vaccines.
Though Curekind Pharmaceuticals, ultimately lost out on the tender, the Sunday Observer can reveal that the company was granted authorisation by the ministry of health to import pharmaceutical products worth over E2 million from an Indian supplier earlier this year, despite that the directors did not have valid entry or work permits.
The ministry’s formal approval, dated March 5, 2025, allowed the company to import medicines valued at US$120 040 (approximately E2.2 million) from Swerine Healthcare, based in Gujarat, India.
The import authorisation was signed by acting Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services Nomsa Shongwe, on behalf of Director of Health Services Dr Velephi Okello, and it was processed on March 6.
According to documents, all three directors’ entry permits list them as directors of MVJ Medical and Surgical Suppliers (Pty) Ltd, a different company that won a place in the ministry of health’s tender no. 2 of 2025/26.
The trio however, has been operating Curekind Pharma for over a year, and supplying pharmacies, reportedly mainly in Matsapha.
Subsequent to receiving the import permit, the company’s directors, Birendra Kumar Singh, Kavita Singh, and Deepak Rajput Singh, were later arrested and brought before the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court, facing five counts including contravening the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act, failing to register for Value Added Tax (VAT) despite exceeding the E125 000 threshold.
The ministry’s approval of the permit came at a time when the country was already in the grip of a severe drug shortage crisis, which has sparked widespread public outrage and scrutiny of the ministry’s procurement practices.
Sought for comment, the trio claimed that they had applied for work permits under Cure Kind Pharma, but were denied without explanation.
“We have no idea why our request for a work permit was turned down without an explanation. We feel victimised,” they stated.
In response, the ministry of home affairs dismissed this claim, with Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini clarifying that applicants are expected to reapply from their home country if there is any change in occupation or company affiliation.
“If an individual remains in the country without a valid work permit, they are in breach of immigration laws,” he said.
He explained that the ministry collaborates with other government agencies in assessing permit applications and that there is an official appeal process for applicants who wish to challenge decisions.
“It is improper for individuals who are unlawfully present to shift the blame to the ministry,” Dlamini added.
According to court records, the accused allegedly received over E1.7 million in 2024 without registering for VAT, operated without a valid trading licence from July 2024 to May 2025, and were found to be unlawfully residing in the country.
In addition, Deepak Rajput Singh faces a specific charge for overstaying his immigration permit.
When the matter came before Magistrate Xolile Nxumalo, all three were granted E20 000 bails ordered to surrender their passports and instructed to report to court regularly.
The Crown, represented by Prosecutor Mzwandile Nxumalo, successfully applied for the seizure of their travel documents and electronic devices.
The permit issued to Cure Kind Pharma was authorised by Nomsa Shongwe, who is acting in place of suspended Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services Fortunate Bhembe.
Bhembe is facing internal disciplinary proceedings over her role in the controversial Avapharm deal, which saw the ministry pay over E121 million in advance allegedly for undelivered medicines. She has denied wrongdoing, claiming the payment was irregular from the start and based on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that did not involve her.
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