Mbabane – An Indian national has been fined E1 500 for operating a shop without a valid trading licence and remaining in Eswatini without a valid permit.
Alom Mohammed Masud, 27, appeared before Mbabane Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati on Monday, October 20, 2026, where he pleaded guilty to both charges.
According to the charge sheet, Masud was found operating a shop at Mpolonjeni in the Hhohho Region without a valid trading licence, in contravention of Section 13(2) of the Trading Licence Order Act of 1975.
He also admitted to contravening Section 14(2)(c) of the Immigration Act of 1982 by unlawfully remaining in the country without a valid permit.
During mitigation, Masud apologised to the court, saying, “I am sorry.”
The court fined him E1 000 for the trading licence offence, with an alternative sentence of one year’s imprisonment.
On the immigration charge, he was fined E500, with an alternative sentence of five months’ imprisonment.
The court ordered the sentences to run consecutively. When his right to legal representation was explained, Masud elected to represent himself.
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