By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Jabu Phakathi,the Anti-Corruption Commission(ACC) Director of Communications allegedly threatened investigators of the ACC who questioned corruption within the institution that,she was a friend to editor Zweli Martin Dlamini and their relationship was strengthened through the then Commissioner Advocate Thanda Mngwengwe.

Phakathi, a former journalist,allegedly disclosed this during a staff meeting for investigators while questioning the investigators who allegedly leaked information about some ACC investigators who were allegedly taking bribes,to the print media.

She allegedly warned them that,even if the investigators could approach the editor of this Swaziland News,no negative stories about the ACC would be published as the editor was a friend to the former Commissioner that’s why he always criticizes Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala who removed Mngwengwe.

This information was shared to the editor and other undercover journalists of this publication on Sunday evening during an electronic meeting by some investigators of the ACC.

The investigators asked for a virtual meeting with the editor so they can spill the beans on what “is happening within the ACC”, the investigators said, they were inspired by a recent article where the editor exposed an investigator who demanded two hundred and fifty thousand Rands(R250,000.00) from Bertram Stewart,the Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office.

The editor further wrote an opinion article where he criticized the ACC for failing to fight corruption in the country and, urged Parliament to investigate why the institution was failing to be effective amid a collapsed health system triggered by rampant corruption.

“We were afraid to approach you with this information because in one of the meetings, Jabu Phakathi told us that, he chats with you so anyone who will you give you information,she will know. She even said you are a friend to former Commissioner Thanda Mngwengwe that’s you criticize the Chief Justice. So when we saw your recent article where you were criticizing Jabu and accusing her of incubating corruption, we then realized that she was just thretening us so we cannot talk to you.Lokwentekako lapha, letindzaba uma babuta laba bemaphepha after sive nebantfu labakhulu bakhale ngekutsi kutsatfwa ema-bribes ka-Anti Corruption,lama-journalists alakhaya ashayela lo-Jabu bese yena uvimba letindzaba tingaphumi. Now, Jabu’s faction that is taking the bribes is investigating the Chief Justice,they want him fired and they have been pushing a narrative suggesting that, the ACC is not functioning because of the CJ yet the institution itself is corrupt akusebenteki.You can even read the Chief Justice’s judgment again, he didn’t say the Anti Corruption must stop operating, he raised constitutional rights for suspects that remain valid. He made a mistake by deciding or expressing a legal opinion on matters of constitutional nature alone.But he didn’t say, the ACC must stop operating besekuvikwa ngaye atocoshwa kani the whole institution is corrupt, kubolile lapha”, said one of the investigators.

Jabu Phakathi, the Anti Corruption Commission Spokesperson declined to comment about the matter, however,she was quoted by the Times Sunday(12th May 2024), trying to do damage control after the editor’s articles. 

On another note,editor Zweli Martin Dlamini clarified to the investigators that, he had nothing against the Chief Justice and always criticize him and expose his wrongdoings fairly and objectively.

“We talking today because you read an objective article where I was criticizing the Anti Corruption Commission and warning the investigators against using the Chief Justice to hide their corruption and you felt the article was on point. Where the CJ has done wrong, we will expose but that does not mean the ACC investigators must hide behind the Chief Justice for their incompetence and incubate corruption”, said the editor.

The investigators then shared some documents of sabotaged cases and information about some ACC investigators who allegedly took bribes and living a lavish lifestyle,they also promised to come back with more.

“Parliament tried to institute a probe in the operations of the ACC but it was stopped,you can call MPs(names withheld) they will even tell you,kukhaliwe ngalendzaba yema-bribes lapha. Bemaphepha nabatsi bayabhala bavinjwa, nabo Jabu basetfusa batsi singacali site kuwe,ungumngani wabo wena”, said one of the investigators.

The the editor then concluded the virtual meeting by promising to go through the documents and conduct further investigations,regarding the allegations before publishing.