By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament(MP) Marwick Khumalo says,Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo is not well-positioned to choose for him whether he must be a friend to Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini or not,he urged Nxumalo to back-off,continue drinking “umcombotsi” and leave him alone.

Umcobhotsi is a traditional beer that is believed to be one of Nxumalo’s alleged favorite drinks.

The hard-hitting response from the vibrant and seasoned MP comes after the Government Spokesperson attacked Khumalo for writing an article for this Swaziland News where he exercised his constitutional right to freedom of opinion and, expressed his views about the recent sentiments of Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini who castrated the Office of the Auditor General(AG) thus creating a constitutional crisis.

In the article published on Sunday,Khumalo defended the Auditor General(AG) in principle, and further shared his political views as a seasoned Legislator.

The Government Spokesperson when commenting in his online platforms after reading the MP’s opinion article published by this publication,accused Khumalo of being a friend to the Swaziland News editor whom he labelled as a terrorist.

But the MP did not take kindly to the reaction of the Government Spokesperson,he accused Nxumalo of trying to dictate who he must be friends with.

“Ye-Zwemart,bengcela Nkhosi kutsi utjele lesidvwedvwe,kutsi angikhetselwa ngumcombotsi bangani bami. As an elected MP,I have a full right to address the matter pertaining to the AG.Yena akachubeke abongelele kudzilitelwa tindlu kwesive saseMbondzela kuGege,acunjwe ngumcombotsi, intfo lephambene na-Hulumende.Rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty does not make him one”,said the MP in a message sent to the editor on Sunday afternoon.

The MP then gave this publication permission to publish the message directed to the Government Spokesperson.

Political tension is escalating in the corridors of power after Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini failed to account for about R210million donated and public funds but instead,opted to attack the Office of the Auditor General.

Part of the missing millions were meant to be distributed to poor emaSwati as grants during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Prime Minister is highly expected to be grilled by Parliament on Monday after he undermined the Office of the AG, a very important pillar of the State, constitutionally established to work with the Parliament Public Accounts Committee(PAC) in demanding accountability of public funds.