By Zweli Martin Dlamini

Perhaps let me first declare that, I am a former Executive Member of the Eswatini Editors Forum(EEF) and this declaration is meant to give the reader an objective understanding of the issues to be raised and addressed in this article.

The Editors Forum is the Executive authority of the media,an organization of editors who are the highest decision makers in the administration of the media with powers to influence and shape the public discourse.

What is happening to Nation Magazine editor Bheki Makhubu who is being slowly isolated by some Executive members of the Editors Forum Jabu Matsebula and Mbongeni Mbingo, the alleged allies of Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini,is exactly what these editors attempted against me.

It’s very unfortunate to note that, being vocal against those in power on issues of vital public interest “is interpreted as disrespect by editors Mbingo and Jabu Matsebula.

I remember asking a hard-hitting question to the then Prime Minister Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini during the same Breakfast Meeting, I wanted the PM to clarify if he “controls the Anti Corruption Commission(ACC)”.

Indeed, there was a moment of silence at Sibane Hotel, all editors were eagerly waiting to see how Prime Minister Barnabas will react.

But Barnabas being a very matured politician, responded with a smile and clarified that, the “ACC remains independent without influence from anyone”, even though he was clearly being evasive, he responded with absolute political maturity.

After that Breakfast Meeting he called me on my mobile phone saying he will send the then Deputy Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini to collect some pictures with a flash drive, some of the pictures Barnabas used when publishing his book that Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini boosted, saying he was reading,were sourced from me as the editor.

This means, we would clash with Barnabas during these Breakfast Meetings but interact on national and private issues outside the public domain,it’s actually our first time as editors to witness such a low minded Prime Minister in Russell Mmiso Dlamini, who quickly become angry or emotional when asked questions of vital public interest.

Now, let me state that,I have huge respect for the Secretary General(SG) of Editors Forum Jabu Matsebula, I learned a lot from him and, he is actually one of the libraries of journalism in this country.

As the Controlling Officer of the Editors Forum, the Secretary General might have issued the statement in good faith,perhaps to manage relations with the Office of the Prime Minister as a major stakeholder in the operations of the media.

But managing relations does not mean the organization of Editors must sacrifice the Nation Magazine editor and that, Bheki Makhubu must be portrayed as a journalist who conducted himself unprofessionally during the recent Breakfast Meeting, Makhubu was within his duties when blasting the PM.

It should be noted that, in the political hierarchy of this country, the Prime Minister is exercising Executive Authority on behalf of King Mswati, he is “lihawu leNkhosi” and some of the criticism that should be directed to the King, must be shouldered by him.

It is the Prime Minister who must be matured enough to handle criticism from the media and editors must not or be expected to lower journalism standards just to accommodate an emotionally bankrupt PM.

I can imagine being told by a politician to lower the journalism standards in my writings just because a Prime Minister does feel good when addressed with certain words, journalism is about holding those in power accountable and the standards are globally regulated.

When Bheki Makhubu asked the PM; “who the hell he think he is?”, the Prime Minister was supposed to respond to this question, that was a direct question that “needs an answer”.

I sometimes use strong and hard-hitting words when criticising King Mswati and, I know that as a King he might feel disrespected however, as the editor, it is not my duty or responsibility to make Mswati feel good, my duty is to hold him accountable in the public interest.

So the press statement issued by Editors Forum Secretary General Jabu Matsebula and Chairman Mbongeni Mbingo is actually a piece of rubbish, they are at liberty to apologize to the Prime Minister in their individual capacity but not as an organization.

The suggestion to apologise to the PM was supposed to be raised in a formal meeting attended by almost all the editors or at least the Executive members,debated and passed before the press release.

The Editors Forum is a legal personna and its position on issues of public interest or engagements with key stakeholders must reflect or be a collective agreement and/or resolution of the entire members not certain individuals.