MBABANE: King Mswati has issued an order directing the State owned radio station to stop playing music produced by gospel groups owned by Members of Parliament(MPs) Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane and Timothy Myeni who are critical of his government.
The Times of Eswatini reported on Saturday that the artists were banned from EBIS, however, it was not clearly mentioned that the order came from Mswati because the media in eSwatini is restricted from publishing articles that implicate the King in any wrong-doing.
Journalists are only allowed to at least be general and implicate government instead of King Mswati and those who directly criticize him are persecuted.
But Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane when speaking to this Swaziland News confirmed that the order to ban their music from being played by the State owned radio came from the King.
“Everything that happens in our country is pointing to one direction. It all tells everyone that we need liberation. Everything proves that the king and those in power look at the country as their private property.
How come do you instruct a so-called national broadcaster not to play music of people who differ from your political views?Even those who were sympathetic to the King and his way of leadership now have an egg smashed on their faces too. This government never stops blundering. No amount of sturbon attitude will delay the wheels of democracy. That is how low they stoop in satisfying their egos,” said the Siphofaneni MP, a leader of Mduduzi Nezinceku Zamagawugawu.
MP Timothy Myeni, the leader of Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors said he was in church when this publication contacted him for a comment.
Efforts to reach King Mswati’s daughter Princess Sikhanyiso, the Information Minister proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments, Wandile Dludlu, the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) said the banning of the music from being played by the State owned radio was an indication that Mswati remained an unrepentant dictator who oppressed people because of their political views.
“We urge Swazis to support these MPs and their music and can also organise an international music festival where they will shine and receive support. This support will show Mswati that these artists will not be destroyed as per his wish and the advantage is that these are successful internationally recognized artists”, said the PUDEMO Secretary General.
King Mswati(pic: VOA)