Media Queries
All media is requested to complete the Media Contact Form to log a query with the Eswatini Financial Intelligence Unit (EFIU). Every attempt will be made by the EFIU (*the Unit*) to respond to queries within reasonable time frames.
Before submitting a query, please read the media engagement approach below.
CLICK HERE to submit a media query.
Media Engagement Approach
As Eswatini’s national Centre for the production of financial intelligence, the EFIU is responsible for administering the framework for anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.
The Unit raises awareness on compliance requirements among reporting institutions. Along with industry sector supervisory bodies, the EFIU oversees the compliance of financial and other institutions with the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 (as amended).
Among the obligations of these institutions are registration with the Unit and the submission of various reports. The EFIU uses the information reported to it as the basis for its analysis and development of financial intelligence reports.
The EFIU shares the products of its analysis with a range of competent authorities including law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, the Swaziland Revenue Authority and supervisory bodies. The information shared by the Unit assists these authorities in discharging their responsibilities by, for example, enabling them to conduct investigations, prosecutions and the forfeiture of assets based on the leads provided.
In responding to media queries, the EFIU is only able to provide broad information about its oversight role and function. It will not provide information that is considered confidential in nature nor comment on the work of the supervisory bodies, which are independent of the EFIU.
Confidentiality requirements, emanating from the Act, and the nature of its work prevent the EFIU from:
- Disclosing or denying whether reports on specific persons have or have not been made to the Unit
- Disclosing or denying whether the EFIU has or has not supplied information on specific persons or organisations to investigating authorities or any other partners or counterparts
- Confirming or denying whether it has received information or requests for information
- Confirming or denying whether a matter is or is not being investigated
- Confirming or denying whether a report has or has not been prepared on a matter.
Any disclosure related to the above would be contrary to the provisions of the enabling legislation, and could put at risk the EFIU, its partners, institutions or persons who report information to the EFIU and any other persons concerned.