Calling a press conference, address the King and the Queen after such insulting statements against Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini suggests that, Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo is clueless or perhaps ignorant regarding issues of eSwatini Law and Custom, he must consider presenting cattle to the King through a royal emissary(Lincusa) and formally apologize.
Nxumalo addressed a press conference on Wednesday saying “as a respecting and responsible citizen, I am formally apologizing to the King, the Queen and the Prime Minister”, he was retracting the reckless statements he made against the Prime Minister as reported by this Swaziland News.
Well, I did a long interview with Nxumalo and it’s the rejected Government Spokesperson who contacted me saying “he wants to respond to our article where we quoted Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini”, he is accusing the PM of rejecting him after the Civil Service Commission(CSC) renewed his contract of employment.
As the editor, I had planned to release the series of audios throughout the week but just because Alpheous Nxumalo has decided to withdraw the statements and apologize, I am now publicly making a commitment not to release the other reckless audios.
I am also a responsible journalist and Liswati who understands that maybe, Nxumalo was speaking out of frustration and as a result, I did not even remind him of his earlier statements where he vowed not to speak to me or the Swaziland News because we are terrorists entities.
But let me bring to the attention of the Government Spokesperson that on Tuesday I received a call from Channel S Director Qhawe Mamba informing me that, Nxumalo will be a Guest on his People’s and Places Program, Mamba was inviting me to be part of the Program and politely declined.
But we agreed with Mamba that he can host Alpheous Nxumalo, however, my commitment not to release the other audios comes with conditions, Nxumalo must just apologize without trying to twist the story, it’s him who called me, I ignored his first and second call and decide to speak to him after the third(3rd) call.
Nxumalo must just follow protocol and apologize to Labadzala, you can’t address the King through a press conference as if the King is your friend.
King Mswati respects protocol, the Prime Minister might have some political weakness but the PM’s leadership has improved, his decision to reject an alleged rapist is part of leadership which we applaud.
But Mswati can’t tolerate what Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo did because his conduct was an indirect attack to the King who appointed the Prime Minister.
It should be noted that, if Nxumalo is genuinely apologizing to the King and the PM, he must demonstrate respect for the Nation and the alleged victims of rape, the Government Spokesperson is facing serious rape charges and therefore, he must thank the person who advised him to withdraw such reckless statements.
This could have resulted to the revocation of his bail “should the victims approach the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) and report that, they are feeling unsafe after these ‘sub judice’ statements”.
But as mentioned, even though I am in possession of more audios that might put Nxumalo in trouble, I strongly believe he must be given a second chance particularly because, he has apologized.
In terms of eSwatini Law and Custom, he must consider presenting cattle to the King, it was the first time in this country to see a Government Spokesperson insulting a sitting Prime Minister in this manner.
In politics, we discuss public issues and even if disagree, we don’t degenerate into such insults or private parts, it’s only political lunatics on social media with no political content who insult others, Nxumalo must never behave in this country.
Alpheous Nxumalo worked for this country as a Government Spokesperson, even if the Prime Minister can reject him of course with valid reasons as he is facing rape charges but, I am sure the King would have advised the Civil Service Commission to consider deploying him in other Departments or maybe, the King could have appointed him as a member of one of the Governing Councils.
Nxumalo must not allow frustration to destroy him, some of us have been through a lot but we are still working, he must approach King Mswati, present cattle and apologize for insulting the Prime Minister.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo.