By Zweli Martin Dlamini

As a journalist I have, on numerous occasions, received information from sources seeking to expose dagga fields owned by police officers, soldiers and even former and current Members of Parliament(MPs)among other influential, powerful and politically connected individuals.

Indeed, we have powerful dagga farmers in this country whose production is never destroyed by the police and as a journalist I hardly expose dagga farmers because I perceive this as mere agricultural farming despite the existence of the unjust law banning it.

Now, in my view, the police are wrong to destroy dagga fields owned by the poor and vulnerable, these citizens are earning a living amid scarcity of jobs and high levels of poverty.

But I’ve noted that, whenever the police invade dagga fields belonging to the poor and vulnerable, they normally invite the media and take pictures so that they could be seen working, yet the motive is to ensure that, ordinary citizens remain poor and hungry.

On Wednesday, National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango invaded the Hhohho region with an alleged intention to destroy dagga fields, he launched “Operation Sikhona” and one wonders, if this useless operation will provide drugs in public hospitals and recover the billions looted through the ongoing rampant corruption in the public administration.

As mentioned,I know various dagga fields owned by the powerful and politically connected, I receive tip-offs almost every in my line of duty.

Some of these people are linked to Mswati and there’s a possibility that, the King also enjoyed “tetfulo” as proceeds of dagga farming that is if he is not indirectly involved in dagga farming.

Whether there’s a law banning dagga farming in this country, the truth is; amid the poverty situation,it is wrong to target poor citizens and destroy their dagga fields.

Law or no law, when a poor citizen engages in dagga farming I will always blame the police who destroy his/her product, the same way when a hungry Liswati invade a Game Reserve for hunting and subsequently killed by Game Rangers,I will blame the killers.

The only cure for hunger is food and any law that seeks to suppress ordinary citizens who try to earn a living must be condemned and, those who enforce it must be made unpopular among the masses.

Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, the then Hosea Member of Parliament(MP) is in prison as you read this,before the recent political unrest erupted, he opposed a law seeking to monopolize dagga farming for the indirect benefit of King Mswati, I was vigorously reporting about that until the eSwatini Government opted to persecute me.

Now,let me warn Vusi Manoma Masango,the newly appointed National Commissioner of Royal Eswatini Police Service(REPS) to refrain from destroying dagga fields belonging to the poor and vulnerable citizens.

In this country, we have a majority of emaSwati living in extreme poverty and the day these citizens realize that they have nothing to eat,they will have no alternative but,to consume the rich and powerful.

Poverty is very painful,I know that situation very well having grown-up selling “tintsambo, lutindzi and emakhenya” among others, with my grandmother to earn a living.

Life is literally a struggle in this country and therefore,when I see a dagga farmer, I see a citizen who is trying to earn a living.

Dagga farmers are not criminals but farmers who use fertilizer and other agricultural products when cultivating their products.

It is therefore unjust,for anyone who can afford a decent meal like National Commissioner Vusi Masango to target dagga farmers instead of fighting crime and corruption amid looting of billions of public funds.

Dagga farmers earn a living through farming not looting public funds through questionable tenders, the National Commissioner must leave emaSwati alone otherwise, one day they will consume him.