By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:Sifiso Khumalo,the Attorney General(AG) has spent over R20million so far fighting Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of this Swaziland News.

The monies,according to information obtained by this publication,include payment for Advocate,legal research and hiring of private investigators to trace the editor.

A questionnaire was sent to the Attorney General(AG)however, he had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Mpumalanga High Court Judge Vincent Ratshibvumo noted on Tuesday that,King Mswati and the eSwatini Government are using public funds to take Swaziland News and it’s editor to court.

On another note,hundreds of emaSwati have died amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News,Brian Sangweni, the National Spokesperson of eSwatini’s main and largest political party, the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said, it was such unlimited power of King Mswati’s unhampered access to state coffers that makes him to use public resources to evade accountability. 

“Like everyone else in public office he needs to account and  no public office holder must use state resources to avoid accountability processes.This is unfortunately happening at a time when most countries are legislating against the use of public funds to litigate against public criticism which in this case the Swaziland News is correctly carrying out.This put bare the inherent undemocratic nature of Tinkhundla system and the fact that it put the King and the royal family first before the public.We trust the media as entities that enlighten the public and articulate our voices, silencing the media by public officials using state resources is like silencing the public using its own means. We hope that the competent courts of South Africa will consider this public disadvantage and rule accordingly”, said the PUDEMO National Spokesperson.