By Zweli Martin Dlamini

The police must prioritize the safety of Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini amid fallout with Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, whose history of assaulting elders in this country is well-documented.

Nxumalo is alleged to have verbally attacked and threatened highly respected former Prime Minister(now Tibiyo TakaNgwane Managing Director) Absalom Themba(AT) Dlamini in May 2013 as reported by the Times of eSwatini.

This was after the Eswatini Observer Board of Directors chaired by Sthofeni Ginindza fired him on allegations of fraud and corruption, the Government Spokesperson was obviously afraid to attack Sthofeni “who is visibly giant” and opted to attack AT at a Portuguese restaurant in Manzini.

Perhaps, if the former Prime Minister was not in a public area and met Alpheous Nxumalo in a secluded place like a forest, the Government Spokesperson could have strangled him to death.

Now, as Nxumalo’s fallout with Russell Mmiso Dlamini ahead of his retirement gains momentum, the Prime Minister’s escorts must prioritize his safety, Alpheous Nxumalo might invade the Cabinet Offices anytime and assault the PM.

The behavior of the Government Spokesperson who “has adopted a tendency of boycotting press conferences organized by the Prime Minister, suggests that he is very bitter and one day”, he might attend a press conference strategically, so he could assault the PM in front of cameras.

Nxumalo is very bitter that Russell Dlamini might employ Swazi Observer Managing editor Mbongeni Mbingo and that, the Civil Service Commission(CSC) might promote Deputy Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli should the Prime Minister recommend her to take over the position. 

As to why Nxumalo is so bitter when other emaSwati who are younger than him stand a chance to climb the ladder after his retirement, nobody knows.

We might criticize the PM but, for him to perform in his mandate, he must work with “people he has absolute trust” in other strategic positions and this, include a Government Spokesperson who will communicate his political narrative very well and support his economic development strategy or agenda.

Mbongeni Mbingo and Thabile Mdluli recently graduated and improved their academic skills, Nxumalo must just allow young people to compete for this influncial position and retire.

Indeed, the Government Spokesperson cannot go against nature,he is old now and as a country we have a program that provides financial support for senior citizens.

Through the elderly grants program funded with public funds, we will take care of our retiring Government Spokesperson.

We have many highly experienced and qualified Public Relations Officers(PROs) in this country but now, we are busy writing about a lunatic who is resisting retirement,he must be monitored and prevented from assaulting the Prime Minister.

AT is a very humble and respectful person and we were all shocked why Alpheous Nxumalo opted to verbally assault a former Prime Minister, who was known for promoting peace and the rule of law throughout his term of Office.

I am therefore warning the security officers escorting the current PM, Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo is now bitter and dangerous, he might assault Russell Dlamini.