MBABANE:Martin Dlamini,the Managing editor of the Times of eSwatini has promised to take action against journalists of the newspaper, who stand accused of extorting thirteen Rands(R13,000.00) from an elderly high profile man.
The Times Managing editor disclosed this in a telephone conversation with Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini on Sunday afternoon after successfully requesting the names of the two(2) journalists.
This comes after this Swaziland News published a story exposing how journalists of the Times, Observer and Independent News allegedly took turns to extort money from the elderly man, the elderly man was saved by a friend who reported the matter to the Swaziland News editor.
“Now that you have given me the names, I will work on this matter. You can report and inform the Nation that as a newspaper, we are against corruption and we want to make an example and send a strong message”, said the Times Managing editor when speaking to editor Zweli Martin Dlamini.
On another note, editor Zweli Martin Dlamini thanked the Times Managing editor for taking action, he said he was also contacted by the editor of the Independent News Mfanasibili Sihlongonyane who requested the name of the journalist.
“We urge the public particularly high profile individuals to report extortion and/or corruption, we now have diversity in the media. So even if it’s a journalist from the Swaziland News, you can report that journalist to the other newspapers.No public figure or any citizen must be extorted or made to pay money because journalists know his/her secrets, that is corruption. As journalists we deal with information everyday and end-up knowing people’s secrets and private matters but,that does not mean high profile people must live in fear and be extorted.I am waiting for a call from the Swazi Observer authorities so I can disclose the name of their journalist who extorted three thousand Rands(R3,000.00) even though he later paid it back,if they keep quiet that would mean they tolerate corruption”, said the Swaziland News editor.
Times Managing editor Martin Dlamini(pic: Gov).