By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Zweli Martin Dlamini,the editor of this Swaziland News has told Ok Food Director Lincon Motsa that “he is not his employee but an editor”.

This comes after the businessman sent a message to the editor on Thursday evening,questioning why the editor published the story where the businessman is accused of engaging in an alleged corrupt Grindrod multimillion business deal with his friend Sihlangu Nhlabatsi, the Chairman the Swaziland Road Freight Association(SRFA),without his response.

“Yes,but I am not an employee at Ok Foods but an editor.When I send you a questionnaire you must respond immediately because there’s an urgent public demand for news or indicate if you want more time before you respond”, said the editor in his response.

The editor then warned other public figures to take a questionnaire from the Swaziland News seriously because the publication has a huge following,instead of reacting once the story has been published.

Dlamini said,public figures or anyone is allowed to engage the editor and request that, the story be put on hold while that implicated individual engage his/her legal representative for advice before responding but clarified that, the waiting time must be reasonable without depriving the public access to timely, accurate and credible news.

“You cannot keep quiet and ignore a questionnaire from a journalist only to react once the story has been published.Any businessman ought to know that once a story is in the public domain,there would be some some reactions, even “your suppliers or other business associates will react”.Journalists cannot beg responses from public figures who have a duty to account for their actions or decisions”,said the editor.

The editor maintained that,the production or dissemination of news will never be compromised by individuals who delay or refuse to respond.