By Nokwanda Mamba

MBABANE:The Royal Eswatini Police (REPS) has appealed to anyone who know the whereabouts of Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of this Swaziland News to assist them with information.

Police Spokesperson Superintendent Phindile Vilakati told the Swazi Observer, a State owned newspaper that anyone who might be residing or knowing the whereabouts of Dlamini but concealing that information would be inviting trouble.

In March 2020, the editor told SABC, a South African TV that police tortured him for writing articles about King Mswati, however, that incident was not covered by the highly censored Eswatini media, instead it was covered by the international media. These articles include the ones titled 'King Mswati's speech is actually a lie from the Throne' and  'BUGANU: Who gave the King powers to call our wives for a sex ceremony'.

On Friday(10 April 2020) , this publication reported in its Twitter account that police arrived at the editor’s home and harassed Dlamini’s wife, a four-old son and a seven-year old daughter. The wife was subsequently taken to the Mbabane police station where she was tortured and humiliated after police demanded that she reveals Dlamini’s whereabouts.

This comes after the editor published a story alleging that King Mswati was in critical condition and admitted at Manzana Royal Hospital. On 22 March 2020, this Swaziland News reported that the King was in a coronavirus self-quarantine and one was allowed to visit him as confirmed by Lusendvo Fakudze, the Governor of Ludzidzini Palace. 

Police appeal to anyone who might know the whereabouts of the editor to contact Deputy National Commissioner Sam Mthembu at 7606 2316, Senior Superintendent  Clement Sihlongonyane at 7612 7994 or Assistant Superintendent Jabulani Madlopha at 7605 7428.