Two alleged kingpins behind an illegal online gambling operation in Mbabane have been sentenced to fines totaling E77,000, with prison terms imposed as alternatives if the fines are not paid.
Li Peng Chi and Lyu Tao, both Chinese nationals, were convicted and sentenced by Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi on 21 August 2026. Li Peng was sentenced on six counts.
On count one, he was ordered to pay a E5,000 fine, failing which he would serve five years’ imprisonment. The charge relates to allegations under the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act, involving US$593,355.55 (approximately E10.4 million).
The charge sheet states the funds were unlawfully acquired, possessed, or used with knowledge that they were derived, directly or indirectly, from an offence in Eswatini. The underlying offences cited included contraventions of the Immigration Act and the Gaming Control Act.
On count two, Li Peng was ordered to pay E25,000, with five years’ imprisonment as the alternative. The same sentence was imposed on count three, bringing the total fines on counts two and three to E50,000. Counts two and three concern allegations that he engaged in gaming events or contingencies other than with a holder of a license authorized to conduct such gaming.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged conduct took place at Woodlands around March 2026, and at Madlenya Building. On count four, he was ordered to pay E500, with one year’s imprisonment as the alternative. The charge sheet states this count concerns operating a gaming business without a valid license or permit under the Trading Licenses Order of 1975.
On count five, Li Peng was ordered to pay a further E500, failing which he would serve six months’ imprisonment. The charge sheet alleges that he employed various foreign nationals without the necessary authorization under the Immigration Act. The court order also records a fine of E5,000 on count seven, with five years imprisonment as the alternative.
The court ordered that the sentences on counts one, two, three, four, and seven run concurrently. The total fines in Li Peng’s order therefore amount to E61,000. Because the counts run concurrently, the alternative imprisonment terms attached to those counts would also run concurrently. The six-month alternative term on count five was not stated to run concurrently.
Lyu Tao was sentenced on five counts. On counts seven, eight, and nine, he was ordered to pay E5,000 on each count, with five years imprisonment as the alternative. The three five-year alternative terms were ordered to run concurrently.
He was also ordered to pay E500 on count 11, with six months imprisonment as the alternative, and another E500 on count 12, carrying the same six-month alternative imprisonment if unpaid. His total fines therefore amount to E16,000.
The charge sheet links Tao to three money laundering-related counts involving significant sums. Count 11 concerns E200,000 acquired, possessed, or used on or about 5 February 2026 in Mbabane, while count 12 concerns E508,000 acquired, possessed, or used on or about 16 February 2026 in Mbabane.
Both counts were brought under section 4(1)(c)(i), read with sections 76 and 89(1)(a) of the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act.
The court granted an application that Lyu be kept in custody for 14 days pending deportation. The two cases were handled under case number 334/2026A in the magistrate’s court in Mbabane.
The Chinese nationals were represented by Advocate Mduduzi “Tsotsi” Mabila, instructed by Linda Dlamini of Linda Dlamini and Associates. Assistant DPP Thabo Dlamini appeared for the State. Overall, the combined fines imposed on both accused total E77,000.
