MBABANE:Phila Buthelezi, the Minister of Labour and Social Security is allegedly lobbying other Ministers to question Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini regarding what he described as secret links with Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini.
Cabinet Ministers who have been lobbied by the Labour Minister told this publication that, Buthelezi is accusing the PM of secretly communicating to Zwemart without openly declaring such communications to Cabinet as a collective.
“He says the Prime Minister opened his own small gate and access to Zwemart and is now able to clarify issues involving him while other Ministers remain banned from communicating with Swaziland News and can’t clarify issues or stories published about them by Zwemart. It’s a serious issue particularly because, it seems some Cabinet Ministers speak to Zwemart as well but on the sidelines,” said a Cabinet Minister.
One of the Cabinet sources told this publication that, Buthelezi was supported by Tinkhundla Administration and Development Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini.
“Minister Sikhumbuzo went to PM and asked that an article published by Swaziland News about the PM kicking out Public Service Minister Mabulala Maseko be included in the Cabinet agenda, they were teaming up with Buthelezi against the Prime Minister. Watsi Ndvunankhulu kukahle-ke akubuye onkhe ema-articles a-Zwemart nalapho abhala khona labanye bo-Minister atokhulunyiswa yi-Cabinet,” said the Cabinet source.
Efforts to reach Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
On another note, the Labour Minister is alleged to have complained that, the Swaziland News editor seems to be having detailed and accurate Cabinet information about the ongoing conversion of the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) into a National Pension Fund under his Ministry.
The Labour Minister was recently exposed by this publication for failing to pay salaries for his truck drivers, one of the drivers subsequently grabbed a truck thretening to sell it and recover the unpaid salaries.
Labour Minister Phila Buthelezi.