MBABANE:Bheki Makhubu,the editor of the Nation Magazine questioned Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini, demanding answers as to why Government pays R1.4million to Eswatini Positive News, an online media company allegedly owned by Mbabane East Member of Parliament(MP) Welcome Dlamini and Mbongeni Ndlela.
The two(2) are former Times of eSwatini journalists and believed to be behind other various undercover online platforms that spreads propaganda and/or false information against the pro-democracy movement including misleading the masses regarding the death of prominent human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko,the journalists are allegedly paid by the State for their propaganda services.
The State media project to spread propaganda was first exposed by this Swaziland News,however, the allegations are slowly coming to reality as some editors now feel Welcome Dlamini and Ndlela are benefiting taxpayers money to defend the eSwatini Government.
It is alleged that,Government funded the propaganda online project to try and neutralize articles published by this Swaziland News.
“Why is Government paying R1.4million to Eswatini Positive News?Welcome udla yedvwa?”, asked the Nation Magazine editor in a question directed to the Prime Minister during the Breakfast Meeting with editors at the Mountain View on Thursday.
The ‘business’ of defending Government appears to be booming for State controlled journalists who cash from the State and on Sunday,Times editor Mfankhona Nkambule defended Ministry of Defense Principal Secretary(PS) Prince Sicalo amid allegations suggesting that, he was assisting rebels in an attempt to overthrow the democratically elected Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).
It remains unclear if Nkambule has submitted his ‘invoice’ to Government for the propaganda services or is paid via the State funded eSwatini Positive News.
Nation Magazine editor Bheki Makhubu.