LONDON — The story of millions, some say billions of dollars that former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is said to have removed from his country before his death and stashed in countries friendly to his regime including South Africa has popped up every now and then since his death in 2011. And this time the Sunday Times claims that $30m of the Gaddafi money which was initially stored in a bunker at Nkandla, is now in the possession of the Swazi King. While some say Gaddafi’s millions is the stuff of legends like the Kruger millions, the Libyan Government is taking it seriously and are said to have asked South Africa to help them to recover the money. President Jacob Zuma, recently seen floating in a pool without a worry in the world took to Twitter, calling Gaddafi his brother and replied with a sigh to the allegations. – Linda van Tilburg
By Thulasizwe Sithole
Libyan authorities are reported to have asked the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to help recover the millions of dollars that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is rumoured to have taken out of his country before he was killed. The Sunday Times quotes a South Africa source close to Gaddafi saying the money was handed over for safe-keeping and Gaddafi said, “if I am captured and taken to the International Criminal Court, find a good lawyer for me.” The sum mentioned in the article is $23m that was handed to President Jacob Zuma.
The money was then transferred to Eswatini, where it is said to be held by the Swazi King, Mswati III. The London Telegraph describes the reports as “a political drama as Mr Ramaphosa seeks to crack down on the allegations of corruption that marred his predecessor’s period in power.” The paper says experts who were appointed in 2017 by the United Nations Security are trying to find where the Gaddafi money had disappeared to.
The initial response from the South African government to the claims of an Nkandla link and that the money was held in Swaziland was dismissed by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu as mere rumours. International relations expert Charles Singala told eNCA that it is not the first time that South Africa has been contacted by Libya about rumours that Gaddafi money has been stashed away in South Africa. Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was also asked a couple of years ago to facilitate the transfer of $20bn back to Libya. eNCA reported that following the initial dismissal by Sisulu about the claims, her department confirmed that they were now “looking into the so-called missing Gaddafi millions.”
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Sigh! I owe millions in legal fees… I’ve asked you to assist with that one title deed in order for me to sell that house. I now hear that I have been keeping money belonging to my late brother Gaddafi. Where’s this money because His Majesty knows nothing about it? https://t.co/HputtXav1f
— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) April 9, 2019
President Cyril Ramaphosa met the Swazi King on the 3rd of March and it is not clear whether the claims about Swazi involvement in the matter were discussed. Some South African papers have reported that the Swazi King confirmed the existence of the money to Ramaphosa, but this could not be confirmed. The only comment from his office was that if there was evidence of wrongdoing, law enforcement agencies must play their part ‘’without any fear or favour.” Political parties have since said that the country’s law enforcement agencies should investigate the claims about the Gaddafi millions.
Former President Jacob Zuma responded to the claims for the first time today. He took to Twitter; calling Gaddaffi his late brother and denied any knowledge of the money.
