MBABANE: Alec Lushaba, the editor of the State owned Swazi Observer newspaper came hard on Members of Parliament(MPs) and leaders of political parties accusing them of plotting for regime change, undermining the King and discrediting the Tinkhundla system of Governance.
Eswatini, a tiny Kingdom situated in Southern Africa and ruled by King Mswati, one of the world's richest Monarchies has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line, political parties are banned from participating in elections.
In an article published on Monday, the editor said the political forces were of the view that enough ground has been covered to push for a revolution that sought to undermine the institution of the Monarch and portray the Tinkhundla system of governance as a failure.
"These forces are of the view that enough ground has been covered to push for a revolution that seeks to undermine the institution of the Monarch and portray the Tinkhundla system of governance and the institution as a failure",the editor wrote.
The editor further mentioned that the call for regime change was not new adding that some proscribed political formations have been lobbying the international community to put pressure on the King to accept the changes.
"This call is not new as some proscribed political formations have been lobbying the international community, including our biggest trading neighbour South Africa, to put pressure on the King to accept these changes.A direct attempt was made in 2011 when the country sought a E2.4 billion bail-out from our neighbours whilst at the same time seeking a letter of comfort from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the height of the global meltdown. The kingdom rejected both and survived\" ,he said.
Reached for comments, Wandile Dludlu, the Secretary General of the People's United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said only a psychopath and a praise singer not a journalist can defend this government at the time when the country has been reduced into a charity case, surviving with donations with high youth unemployment.
"Lushaba sometimes claims to be a religious person and the Bible says all Kingdoms shall fall, the only Kingdom that will not fall is that of God, so what made him to believe that Mswati's regime will not collapse? As the situation stands the country has been reduced into a charity case, surviving with donations with 52% youth unemployment and Lushaba sitting behind the desk as a journalist defends that, only a psychopath and a praise singer not a journalist can defend that",said the PUDEMO Secretary General.
Swazi Observer editor Alec Lushaba