MBABANE: A senior police officer is being investigated on suspicion that he leaked critical State intelligence documents to investigative journalist Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of this Swaziland News.
This comes after this publication exposed an operation order revealing how the police plotted to disperse supporters of incarcerated pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, as per the article, the police subsequently shot protestors while others were kidnapped.
A police insider told this publication that the senior officer whose name cannot be revealed for ethical reasons was suspected of providing information to the editor.
“He is being investigated for providing information to Zwemart. His cellphone was confiscated and an enquiry file was opened,” said a senior police officer within the police Headquarters.
Reached for comments, editor Zweli Martin Dlamini confirmed that a senior police officer in the Commanding hierarchy of a police station had his cellphone grabbed and it is being investigated at the Police Headquarters.
The editor condemned the conduct of the police to target innocent officers, adding that it was not easy to know who provides him with information.
“The police officer they are suspecting is innocent, it’s not easy to know who provides me with information. The Police Executive Command must relax, they won’t find anything not even a “Hello” between us in that cellphone. Sources are the foundation of investigative journalism and therefore, we always strive to protect sources. Senior police officers with power must not target innocent officers and accuse them of leaking information in their fight for positions,” said the editor.
Superintendent Phindile Vilakati had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
On or about 22nd March 2022, this publication exposed a police operation order detailing how the police plotted to attack peaceful protestors who were supporting the pro-democracy MPs.
The police headquarters.