By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:Maxwell Mthembu,the highly regarded University of Eswatini(UNESWA)Journalism Lecturer says,he was surprised to see local newspapers trying to divert focus on the drugs shortage scandal by targeting the Office of the Auditor General(AG) Timothy Matsebula.

Speaking to the State owned radio on Thursday evening when interviewed by Bhekizwe Maveni Gwebu about journalism,the Lecturer described the health crisis and/or shortage of drugs in public hospitals as a matter of vital public interest.

“I would make an example about the drugs shortage issue that is of vital public interest these days.When we talk about issues of public interest, we are referring to such issues.But I was surprised to see local newspapers trying to divert from the real issue and targeting the Auditor General, it was clear that they were trying to protect the corrupt thieves. I am not saying we shouldn’t question the Office of the Auditor General but the drugs shortage issue is of public interest for now because it impacts all of us.Can you imagine amid the shortage of drugs in public hospitals,local journalists are trying to divert focus from the important issue only to tell us that,the Office of the AG has not been audited for four(4) years?. We are not saying that issue must be ignored if it exist but for now, the drugs shortage scandal is an urgent matter of public interest that impacts everyone”, said the UNESWA Journalism Lecturer.