By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE- Kenneth Dlamini, the editor of the State owned Eswatini Observer has died of COVID-19 related illness. 

The news of Dlamini's death broke on Thursday morning after he had been transferred to the Republic of South Africa for treatment.  

Insiders within the State owned newspaper revealed that the death of the Editor came after he had been vaccinated for COVID-19 over a week ago. 

Dlamini worked for the State owned daily newspaper as a sports reporter before being promoted to the position of sports editor. He was later redeployed as a news editor, a position he held until he met his death. 

Eswatini Observer staff  told this publication that they learnt of their colleague’s death on Thursday morning after being formally notified by their management. 

Efforts to reach Allan Mkhonta, the ESwatini Observer Managing Director proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report, his phone rang unanswered.

Zweli Martin Dlamini, the Swaziland News editor described Kenneth Dlamini’s death as a huge blow to the media industry.

”As the Swaziland News we send condolences to both his family, Eswatini Observer staff, entire media industry and the country following the death of the editor. The eSwatini media is currently faced with huge shortage of human resources and the death of experienced journalists is very unfortunate” he said