Salim Swaleh, Communications Director at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, pictured at NTV offices on September 17, 2019. IMAGE: Salim Swaleh/Instagram
In Summary:
- Salim Swaleh, Director of Press at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, is arrested along with others for involvement in a fraud scheme.
- The suspects allegedly impersonated VIPs and government officials to deceive victims for bribes and favors.
Former NTV news anchor Salim Swaleh, currently serving as Director of Press at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, has been arrested in connection with a complex fraud case centered at Mudavadi’s office.
According to a statement issued by Peter Warutere, Secretary of Strategic Communications at Mudavadi’s office, the arrests were made following a tip-off regarding impersonation, fraud, and abuse of office within the OPCS-MFDA Railways Office.
“The suspects, including government officials, were apprehended after intensive surveillance revealed their involvement in impersonating VIPs and government officers to exploit unsuspecting visitors,” the statement read.
Investigations disclosed that the fraudsters exploited their positions to gain unauthorized access to government premises, posing as high-ranking officials to solicit bribes and favors from primarily foreign visitors.
Mudavadi’s office further revealed that the fraudulent activities involved accomplices within the government, facilitating the unauthorized use of office spaces and the manipulation of identification tags to perpetrate their scams.
Among those arrested was Salim Swaleh, found in possession of counterfeit door switch-nametags inside his office, which investigators linked to the fraudulent operations.
“The arrested government officials had orchestrated a scheme where office spaces were ‘rented out’ to criminals, either by vacating their premises or misrepresenting their identities,” the statement elaborated.
“This also included swapping authentic name tags with counterfeit ones on office doors to further their illicit activities.”
Authorities reported that upon their arrest, the suspects attempted to bribe their way out, highlighting the audacity of their actions despite being caught in the act.
The case underscores ongoing efforts to combat corruption and abuse of office within government institutions, with investigations ongoing to identify and apprehend all involved parties.
Salim Swaleh and the other suspects are currently in police custody awaiting further legal proceedings as the investigation continues.