By Zweli Martin Dlamini

Journalism is a powerful tool that influences democratic change without the barrel of a gun through the dissemination of information, however, it can become an oppressive tool against the people if controlled by a dictator.

Now, as the winds of change blew shaking the pillars of the Tinkhundla system, the Swazi Observer opted to intimidate Siphofaneni Member of Parliament(MP) Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane with a ‘false’ prophecy by Major V who claimed he saw a dark cloud falling upon the MP who is fast becoming popular by addressing critical issues in Parliament in the public interest.

Well, that propagated article attributed to the ‘false’ Prophet warning the MP reminded me of how the Swazi Observer vigorously opposed an attempt by a Commonwealth Envoy Bakili Muluzi to facilitate democracy talks between King Mswati and political parties through a series of propagated articles whose mission was to divide the progressive movement and strengthen the current oppressive rule.

At some point, Prince Masitsela was interviewed by the captured media saying political leaders will no longer meet the King to discuss democratic issues because they made ‘demands’, the whole effort by the progressive movement to peacefully engage the authorities was discredited by the State media, however, with the emergence the independent media, it would be hard to mislead the people.

The Tinkhundla regime played politics, pretending to be open to dialogue, while unleashing the State controlled media to disrupt the  efforts by the progressive movement and the Commonwealth to peaceful engage on issues of democracy, this regime is a dangerous submarine that requires the highest level of intelligence to understand its operations.

Now, an article legitimised by a false prophecy meant to create division between two powerful MPs Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and  Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane has been published, the unity among some of the current MPs eager to speak for the people is intimidating this oppressive government.

Perhaps, let me once again warn State journalists that the Tinkhundla system will use and dump them, a true journalist must, at all times, promote the interests of the people. 

It should be noted that in this country, we have journalists who are struggling financially, some even call public figures to ask for electricity units but instead of fixing this country, they opt to use their pen to sabotage even MPs who are trying to liberate them from poverty.

It is very surprising that the State media can go a far as colluding with ‘false’ Prophets like Major V just to intimidate and divide MPs who speak for the people, the ultimate intention is to make sure that the Swazis sink in poverty, anyone who raises a voice on behalf  of the people is regarded as  an enemy.

The Tinkhundla system is very strategic, not long ago, Prophet Major V was an enemy of the Swazi Observer but just because he falsely prophesied against MP Magawugawu, he was given mileage to cloud the public.

Perhaps, as the independent media, we must at least dedicate time, investigate and expose all these false religious leaders who manipulate religion to oppress the people, who is Prophet Major V?. An opportunist Prophet and King’s Praise Singer (Imbongi)who wants to benefit from the oppressed poor people by manipulating their minds with false prophecies while stealing their money through offerings, its a sad reality that we are now living in a world where the truth is becoming scarce, we are surrounded by wolves in sheep skins.

Personally, I am no longer bothered by the State propaganda journalists who, despite holding a powerful pen that could liberate this country opted to side with the oppressor while struggling financially, some of them are extorting public figures almost everyday, asking for electricity units. Intelligent journalists would have long realized that we need democracy in this country to enhance freedom of the media.

In conclusion, let me warn State propaganda journalists that if they continue using their pens to support and defend an oppressive regime instead of being objective and report the truth, they will continue struggling and soon, they might be counted among the over 700 000 citizens who are living in poverty.

The basic principle of journalism is to act in the public interest not to side with a dictator, those low minded journalists who sell the truth will continue to struggle, asking for electricity units from public figures instead of using their powerful pen to liberate this country for a better life for all. There is nothing like a dark cloud over MP Magawugawu's head as falsely prophesied by Major V and reported by the Observer, it's just a mind capture strategy meant to intimidate him and divide MPs who are critical of the oppressive Tinkhundla system.