BY NELILE NXUMALO (INTERN)
MBABANE– Five foreign nationals arrested in Mbabane on March 2026 over an alleged illegal online gambling operation have told the court they were lured with promises of promotions, better working conditions, and significantly higher salaries before relocating to Eswatini.
Appearing in recent court proceedings, the women whose identities were withheld for legal reasons testified that they had previously been employed by X-WIN in their respective home countries. They told the court that recruiters presented the relocation as a career advancement opportunity, offering higher pay and managerial-level promotions once they moved.
However, upon arrival, the accused said their working conditions differed from what was initially promised, with some alleging that their roles were tied to online operations they did not fully understand were unlawful under Eswatini
The case forms part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown launched in March 2026 by the Royal Eswatini Police Service targeting suspected violations of the Gaming Control Act. Authorities allege that X-Win Proprietary Limited operated digital gambling platforms without the required regulatory approval in Eswatini.
Investigators claim the operation involved coordinated online gambling activities run from multiple rented locations around Mbabane, with foreign nationals reportedly forming part of the operational workforce. Police raids carried out over recent weeks led to the seizure of electronic devices, financial records, and undisclosed sums of cash believed to be linked to the operation.
The testimony has also raised broader concerns about cross-border recruitment practices, with emerging allegations suggesting that some individuals may have been misled about the nature of the work they were recruited for.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the matter will be treated as a labour exploitation or trafficking-related case, but legal observers say the allegations could broaden the scope of the prosecution depending on further evidence presented in court.
The accused remain before the courts as investigations continue. The matter is expected to proceed to full trial in May 2026 alongside dozens of other co-accused persons linked to the wider investigation.
Court officials have indicated that the case may require extended hearing dates due to the number of accused persons, the volume of digital evidence, and the cross-border nature of the alleged operation.
As proceedings continue, the case is expected to shed further light on the growing challenge of unregulated online gambling operations and recruitment networks operating across Southern Africa.
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(Courtesy Pic)
