MBABANE: Mbongeni Mbingo, the Managing Editor of the State owned Swazi Observer Group of Newspaper has been suspended, senior insiders told this publication.
The suspension of the editor comes few days after this Swaziland News published an investigative report that linked Mbingo to a new ‘underground’ political party ‘Vuka Sive’ that seeks to influence regime change and overthrow King Mswati.
On Thursday, the Times of Eswatini, quoting sources within the Swazi Observer reported that the editor has been suspended. The information regarding the suspension of the editor started circulating within the media circles on Wednesday afternoon, Mbingo is allegedly linked Vuka Sive, the underground political party whose founders also own ‘Ulibambe Lingashoni’
On or around 18th October 2020, in the midst of a royal investigation regarding his alleged relationship with King Mswati’s wife Inkhosikati LaMbikiza, the editor allegedly used ‘Ulibambe Lingashoni’ to try and bring confusion to the Board tasked by royalty to work on his matter, the article that was initially targeting Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini and Princess Sikhanyiso, was then diverted by the fake author 'Mnikeni' believed be to the same editor who shifted the ‘goal posts’ and defended ‘Bingo’ accusing Chairman Sthofeni Ginindza of being in a mission to fire him. The article claimed the editor will be defended by former Prime Minister, now Tibiyo Managing Director Absalom Themba Dlamini "who is on his side'
Reached for comments, journalist Manqoba Nxumalo, one of the founders of the political party who openly expressed support for Mbingo confirmed the establishment of ‘Vuka Sive’ but denied that it was a political party.
“Well I don’t know if Vuka Sive is a political party because it started a year ago and this year it hosted virtual studying/reading groups on Whatsap where several PUDEMO, NNLC, SWADEPA people participated, including PUDEMO President” said one the founders of the political party.
An investigation by this publication revealed that, Mbingo has been playing double-standards, allegedly working with the underground political party and publication despite portraying himself as a supporter of the regime.
Documents including a Constitution of the new underground political party suggest that the entity allegedly linked to Mbingo, the long serving State propagandist wants to challenge royal supremacy and achieve democratic reforms. It could not be ascertained what actually forced the editor to establish links to a political party despite being a State propagandist.
Efforts to reach the editor proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
Speaking to this Swaziland News earlier, Wandile Dludlu, Secretary General of the People United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) confirmed that they were aware of the political party, Vuka Sive.
State editor Mbongeni Mbingo