By Zweli Martin Dlamini

One day I had a lunch with former Public Works Minister Ntuntuko Dlamini in one of the restaurants at the Swazi Plaza-Mbabane,Swazi Observer Managing editor Mbongeni Mbingo came-in with African Alliance Eswatini Chief Executive Officer(CEO),they were sitting in a table next to us.

Mbingo and Nelisiwe Mabuza were smiling looking at each romantically in the face,we were not bothered but continued with our discussion.

But suddenly,Ntuntuko was trembling saying it might not be right that Mbingo “saw us together”, he was afraid that the editor might write a story suggesting that Ntuntuko was seen with me.

Well, I had to make Ntuntuko understand that, Mbingo was not an untouchable fellow to me and he would have to tell me that, as a Dlamini,what was wrong with meeting another Dlamini.

I calmed down Ntuntuko by telling him that,if Mbingo crossed that line,then I will have to cross his line too and explain what they were doing with African Alliance Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Nelisiwe Mabuza, some journalists have a tendency of politicizing an issue that doesn’t exist just to please the powers that be.

Now, Mbingo is crossing a political line, blasting Sive Siyinqaba(Sibahle Sinje) senior members for traveling to China and in an article published on Sunday,he systematically linked former Minister Gideon Dlamini and ex-Senate President Ngomyayona Gamedze to a plot to remove the Tinkhundla system of Governance.

Let me bring to the attention of the Swazi Observer editor that,freedom of movement is enshrined in the Constitution, Gideon Dlamini and Ngomyayona Gamedze are not out on bail or facing criminal charges,their movement is not restricted by the courts.

EmaSwati normally travel to other countries like Mozambique,United States of America(USA),South Africa,Lesotho,Zimbabwe,there’s no country in the world that is restricted or sanctioned through eSwatini laws not to be visited by emaSwati.

This tendency of politicizing a mere visit or trip to the People’s Republic China(PRC) as if those who travel to China are enemies of the State must stop.

It is clear that editors like Mbongeni Mbingo are ignorant with regards to the eSwatini politics, even King Mswati is communicating with the Chinese on the sidelines despite the fact that, eSwatini currently enjoys diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Mbingo must stop parading himself as a fool by blaming Sive Siyinqaba for a mere trip to China and if he doesn’t understand the dynamics around China and eSwatini politics, he must ask those who are closer to these issues not to blame emaSwati for exercising their right to freedom of movement.

Whether Sive Siyinqaba started as a Cultural Organization and subsequently transformed into a political party,that is none of Mbingo’s business,the Constitution allows freedom of association.

The Tinkhundla system of Governance operates like a political party and we don’t expect the media to criminalize political affiliation, the people must be free to affiliate to any organization and travel to any country in the world.

Mbongeni Mbingo has travelled to countries like the United States(US), he was even allegedly booking hotels overseas to have sexual intercourse with one of the King’s wives, no one questioned him upon return when he travelled to those countries.

Barnes Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland Democratic Party(SWADEPA), Mbongseni Shabangu,Gideon Dlamini and Ngomyayona Gamedze who are senior members of Sive Siyinqaba have a right to travel to any country in the world.

Taiwan will eventually be kicked-out of this country and if Mbongeni Mbingo is pushing a propaganda by scandalizing China and emaSwati who visit that country, claiming he is protecting the country and the Monarchy, then that would mean he is an ignorant editor.

In conclusion, let me bring to the attention of Mbingo that,I am concluding an investigation into a recent China trip by some royal family members who were allegedly sent by Mswati.

Once we published that story, we would like to know who must visit China, Mswati is busy sending his agents to China exploring opportunities there while stupid propagandists like Mbingo think it’s a political crime to visit China.

There’s no room for stupidity in the media,editors must always be ahead in understanding political issues, otherwise the risk of exposing your stupidity is very high.