By Wendy Magagula

MBABANE: Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo has described editor Zweli Martin Dlamini as Lijabhane who threatens to kill State police officers.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Government Spokesperson accused Dlamini of sending an audio message to Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Masuku threatening to kill police officers who invaded his home and "tortured” his kids.

“He has also planned and carried out the burning of public and private property, including business infrastructure, activities that have threatened the country’s economy and led to massive job losses.” Some families are without fathers and mothers today because of these evil activities. The man is bragging and making fun of the international legal and law enforcement frameworks. This shows absolute ignorance of how the international legal framework works. He continues to threaten security and brags about this. He justifies his killing by saying the police came to his home to conduct a search. We all know that the police are always armed when they conduct operations. In this case, they never threatened or shot any child, nor did they kill anyone in his homestead. EmaSwati should ask themselves what kind of human being this is. "Lijabhane lomuntfu,” said the Government Spokesperson.

Reached for comments, editor Zweli Martin Dlamini said he stands by what is in the audio that he sends to the Deputy Prime Minister.

"I stand by what is in the audio, and I maintain that I have no diplomacy on issues touching on my family; any police officer who tortures my family will face the consequences. As a man, I have an obligation to protect my family from State criminals. This country is in the midst of a civil war. The State killed human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko in front of his children and wife; we will no longer be diplomatic while the State kills us," said the editor.

Dlamini said he will not comment on the allegations contained on the Government press statement but urged the State to consider releasing incarcerated Members of Parliament(MPs) Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube if there’s evidence suggesting that burning of structures were orchestrated by him.

The editor said by sending the audio to the Deputy Prime Minister(DPM), among others,he wanted the State to release a press statement and officially document the matter regarding the torturing of his children so that one day, it can be discussed within the local and international justice system.