MBABANE:Alpheous Nxumalo,the Government Spokesperson has accused editor Zweli Martin Dlamini of using money to pay for information hence the challenges by Government in isolating and preventing him from accessing State documents.
Speaking to the State owned radio,Nxumalo said the terrorism proscription was meant to, among others, isolate the editor from the public and prevent him from accessing State documents.
“But as you know,we are living in a world where money rules”, said the Government Spokesperson.
Nxumalo told the State owned radio presenter that he won’t reveal other Government plans to deal with the editor, this was after the presenter asked him what Government was planning as an alternative to deal with the editor.
“We know that he sometimes pays some of you to give him information,I won’t reveal those plans.Maybe you have been sent by him to ask this question”, said the Government Spokesperson.
On another note,the editor said he receives information from people who love their country and seek to expose wrongdoing.
“It’s very difficult to ban a publication that is loved by the people with such a huge following and international recognition. You then ask yourself; who that person think he is that he can just ban a publication.A journalist ends-up bonding with the people because he communicates with them everyday through writing.When the people face challenges or injustice either work or communities,they think of a journalist they trust to expose injustice.You cannot therefore easily break that bond especially,if you are representing a oppressive and dictatorship Government that was long discredited”, said the editor.
The editor further added that a publication that is hated by the Government automatically gains credibility and popularity in the eyes of the people because members of the public are against captured journalism,they want the media to be their voice and keep the Government on toes.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo.