MBABANE: Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala allegedly intimidated staff members at the High Court claiming that Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini was his ‘friend,’hence those who leaked information were at risk as the editor would tell him.
Electronic evidence in our possession suggests that the CJ while walking out of his office last month, found some staff members and openly warned them not to speak to the editor.
The electronic evidence cannot be released to the public to protect our source.
“Ngiyati nje kutsi lana kukhona labakhuluma na-Zwemart, mine ngiyamati-ke Zwemart siyakhuluma(meaning: I am aware that amongst you, there are those who talk to Zwemart, I know him and I normally talk to him)”, said the Chief Justice when systematically intimidating the High Court staff members.
An insider who leaked the information said they were surprised to hear the CJ saying he was aware that some of us speak to the editor.
”He was boosting that he knows the editor,adding that anyone who speak about him to the Zwemart will be in trouble because the editor will then inform him. We then understood that his main worry was the leaking of information so he was trying to intimidate everyone,” said the editor.
The CJ was exposed by the editor some months ago after he allegedly defrauded Government over R1million in housing allowances.
Maphalala subsequently committed himself into repaying the money, he is now paying it back in installments.
A questionnaire was sent to the Chief Justice, however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Zweli Martin Dlamini, the Swaziland News editor said he knows and personally speaks to about half of the Judges at the High Court but not the Chief Justice.
“The Chief Justice was just playing mind games, intimidating the staff so that those who provide us with information can feel insecure. I only contact the CJ when sending questionnaires as part of my journalism duties, he is not my friend ,” said the editor.
Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala.