An official at the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) has allegedly been suspended over claims that they may have sought to obstruct investigations into how South African ‘crime boss’ Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala obtained a national identity (ID) document in Eswatini under suspicious circumstances.
According to insiders at the institution, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) visited the RSTP this week as part of their ongoing investigation into the issuance of the ID.
During the visit, the investigators reportedly met with acting RSTP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nomvula Shongwe-Gulwako to discuss the alleged attempts to manipulate the Ministry of Home Affairs’ database, which forms part of the national civil registry.
Matlala, who is currently incarcerated at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in South Africa awaiting trial on charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, has long been accused of orchestrating a network of corruption, fraud and violence.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ civil registry is said to list a man matching Matlala’s description under the name Vusimuzi Dlamini, a resident of Motshane. The registration lists Christinah Thembi Shongwe, a housewife from Motshane, as the mother — but Shongwe has denied any maternal link, stating that her second-born child was a girl named Vuyisile Shongwe.
Digital Manipulation Suspicions
Upon investigation, the ministry is said to have found that no father is recorded in the registry, heightening suspicions over the authenticity of the registration.
Insiders allege that an officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs contacted the RSTP staff member, requesting that digital traces related to Matlala’s ID be removed from the system.
Following this, the username of the implicated employee was reportedly replaced with that of a deceased colleague — an action interpreted as a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators.
RSTP officials monitoring the system detected the alteration and restored the data to its original configuration.
National Security Concerns
National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango recently disclosed that a team of investigators has been assigned to probe the matter, emphasising that the issue touches on national sovereignty.
“The police have a duty to ensure that the country’s reputation is not compromised,” he said.
Legislators have since expressed dismay over the breach in the ministry’s immigration system, citing the Matlala case as evidence of systemic vulnerabilities.
In a recent sitting, Senator Lorraine Nxumalo called for urgent action, questioning why no arrests have been made despite the exposure of fraudulent activities.
“Crime bosses such as Matlala clearly found loopholes in our immigration system, enough to obtain a national identity in the country,” she complained.
Ministry’s Response
Acting Minister of Home Affairs, Appolo Maphalala — who deputised for Princess Lindiwe during parliamentary proceedings — confirmed that the ministry is conducting intense investigations and is considering installing CCTV cameras at strategic points to deter fraudulent activities.
“Those implicated in the Matlala case will soon be identified and further dealt with,” Maphalala said.
Senators also proposed introducing e-passports and electronic IDs to strengthen security and curb manipulation of civil registration systems.
Senator Gelane Dlamini highlighted the need for robust digital solutions, while Senator Princess Ntfombiyenkosi stressed the importance of monitoring criminal elements within the ministry.
RSTP Senior Communications Officer Senzo Malaza declined to comment, stating that matters involving employer-employee relations are sensitive, particularly those touching on national security.
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