MBABANE: King Mswati’s son Prince Majaha is plotting to kill Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini or alternatively kidnap his wife to get information on his whereabouts.
Electronic evidence in our possession suggests that on Thursday, Prince Majaha allegedly had a telephone conversation with one member of the royal family where he expressed serious concerns that his father was now stressed about the ongoing critical articles and as a result, the Prince suggested that at least children and the wife of the editor must be kidnapped if all the systems to trace him were failing.
The Prince allegedly used a Siswati word “badliwe timfingo”(meaning: the children and the wife must disappear and be killed). However, the member of the royal family allegedly dismissed the suggestion by Prince Majaha saying the issue of the editor has attracted the attention of the international community adding that anything that might happen to anyone close to him might cause serious trouble for the country and its authorities.
“Where is his wife and children? because if everything fails, kumele badliwe timfingo(meaning: they must just disappear and be killed” Prince Majaha allegedly said.
On or around 10th April 2020, Nompendulo Nokuthula Mkhonta, the wife to the editor was kidnapped by armed police officers who took her to the Mbabane Police Station where she was tortured and suffocated. Efforts to seek legal redress through the King’s controlled courts failed and the matter was later reported to the Southern African Human Rights Defenders(SAHRD) to escalate it with international organisations.
The electronic evidence further exposes Prince Majaha expressing his disappointment in that the editor was opposing a court application and chances were slim that he might physically appear in court where the plot was to then follow him and execute the assassination.
King Mswati recently took the editor of this Swaziland News to the High Court of South Africa over the ongoing critical articles about him, his Government and members of the royal family, the editor through his lawyers is opposing the application.
It has been disclosed that Prince Majaha and the member of the royal family had the telephone conversation while the latter was part of eSwatini royal delegation that went to the Zulu Royal Kraal under King Misuzulu to prepare for the wedding of the new King.
On or around 31st January 2021, this publication reported how Prince Majaha mocked the mysterious death of Jan Sithole, the President of the Swaziland Democratic Party(SWADEPA), a doctor's report confirmed by his political party later emerged raising allegations that the powerful political activist allegedly died from poisoning. The Prince was later quoted by the Times of Eswatini saying he will never forgive the late Jan Sithole adding that he hated anyone who was giving his father a hard-time by calling for democracy.
A questionnaire was sent to Sabelo Dlamini, the eSwatini Government Spokesperson who also speaks on behalf of the royal family, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report. Dlamini recently told the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) Africa Daily that citizens in eSwatini are free to express themselves and that no journalist has been killed or attacked for speaking against the Government.
A royal insider who spoke to this publication said the issue of the editor was a top priority within the royal family adding that Prince Majaha was leading the whole plot to kill him.
“Majaha is highly concerned that his father is now stressed and he wants to do anything to editor” ,said the insider.
Reached for comments, Mlungisi Makhanya, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said the Nation has allowed royal ‘parasites’ like Prince Majaha to use violence on the people for too long without any defense machanism.
“It’s important to warn Prince Majaha and other royal parasites that they have no monopoly over violence, if anything happens to the editor or any of his family members, we will respond as a movement” ,said the PUDEMO President.
Reached for comments, Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of this Swaziland News said in as much as he understands the seriousness of the threats and that the King and his children were vigorously exploring means to silence him, he will not stop writing critical articles that seeks to hold those in power accountable.
"I will continue publishing critical articles without fear or favour, anyone who commits a crime against humanity will face justice" said the editor.
Speaking to this publication, Mbongiseni Shabangu, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Party(SWADEPA) said it was unfortunate that the royal family was continuing with attempts to silence dissenting voices.
“I wonder if they are are aware that these numbers are escalating on daily basis to unprecedented levels. Will they be able to silence the whole Nation? That's highly impossible” ,said the SWADEPA Secretary General.
Reached for comments, Colani Maseko, the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students(SNUS) said the editor played a huge role in elightening emaSwati regarding the hidden things in the country adding that through the editor, their voices as young people were now heard internationally.
“As young people, our voices are now heard internationally, through Zwemart, we are now speaking to the BBC and the struggle is intensifying. We are saying if Majaha wants to kill or touch his family, he must start with us, Zwemart is us and we are Zwemart. It is important to remind Majaha that we are the last generation to be oppressed”, said the Students President.
The latest revelations implicating Prince Majaha collaborates another electronic evidence in possession of this Swaziland News where Army Commander Jeffery Shabalala was exposed plotting to kill the editor. In the evidence, the Army Commander allegedly mentioned that State Security agents were deployed to assassinate the editor adding that they will use their military training to make sure the country was not implicated in the assassination.
The Head of the military further cited other pro-democracy MPs that include Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane whom he said were collaborating with the editor to open the people’s minds and influence them to rebel against the authorities.
Eswatini, a tiny Kingdom situated in Southern Africa and ruled by King Mswati as a absolute Monarch is facing growing calls for democratic reforms, the country has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line and the media is restricted from criticising the King, his royal family and the Government.
Prince Majaha