MBABANE – Police have arrested two Emaswati directors of X-Win after allegedly finding them in possession of about E10 million in US dollars during a crackdown on illegal gambling activities.
Neobile Mncina, 30, of Makholokholo, and Ntuthuko Fakudze, 43, of Mangwaneni appeared before Mbabane Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi yesterday facing five charges related to the alleged illegal operation at Woodlands and Madlenya Building in the Hhohho region. Their lawyer, Linda Dlamini, represented them in court.
The charges include contravening the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011. Prosecutors allege that the men unlawfully acquired or used US$593 355.55 (about E10 million), knowing the money was connected to unlawful activity. 
They also face multiple counts under the Gaming Control Act of 2022 for allegedly participating in or operating gaming events without a valid licence. Further charges include operating a business without a trading licence under the Trading Licences Order of 1975 and employing foreign nationals without proper permits in breach of the Immigration Act of 1982. The foreign nationals reportedly include several individuals from the Philippines, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, and India.
The magistrate granted the Crown’s request to remand Mncina and Fakudze in custody until Friday, allowing authorities time to join them with other suspects linked to the ongoing investigation.
The case is connected to a previous legal matter involving X-Win director Nhlanhla Tsabedze, who is out on bail and had unsuccessfully petitioned the High Court to restore the company’s premises at Madlenya House.
The accused are scheduled to appear again on Friday as police continue to investigate the network of alleged illegal gambling operations.
