MBABANE:Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson has come out to clarify that, the Monarch has nothing to do with Breakfast Meeting between Prime Minister(PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini and the Editors Forum and therefore, the King’s name must not feature in the ongoing tension.
This comes after Prince Mbuyisa, a member of the Land Management Board(LMB) ordered Nation Magazine editor Bheki Makhubu to apologize to the King for taking on the Prime Minister last week.
When asked by this Swaziland News on Tuesday morning, to clarify if journalists who hold those in power, including the PM accountable, are then expected to apologise to Mswati, the King’s Spokesperson vigorously distanced the King from the ongoing tension between the media and the Prime Minister.
“We elect not to be party to the mud slinging in question save to ask that the King's name be not used unfairly.He had nothing to do with the Editors Forum with the Prime Minister that resulted in the mud-slinging.I have no reason to think his name should come in now.The people involved are adult persons”, said the King’s Spokesperson.
The King’s Spokesperson who doubles as a journalist further clarified that,journalists are expected to be professional when executing their duties adding that, going to bed or war with leadership “is optional” not ethical.
“To the best of my knowledge, journalists are expected to be professional.Going to bed or to war with leadership and administration is optional and not ethical”,he said.
Tension erupted in Mbabane at the Mountain-Inn on Friday after Nation Magazine editor Bheki Makhubu blasted Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini and this, was after the PM responded with arrogance to questions posed by editors.
The tension erupted after the PM refused to respond to a critical question of vital public interest after Martin Dlamini, the Managing editor of the Times of eSwatini demanded to know when will the Prime Minister provide drugs in public hospitals.
The senior editor further questioned the PM when will those responsible for stealing public funds, particularly the powerful and politically connected, be arrested for collapsing the health system.
But the PM refused to answer the questions and urged the Times editor to swallow the questions as his personal opinion.
It was then that Nation Magazine editor Bheki Makhubu intervened and blasted the Prime Minister, who then threatened to walk-out if the Editors Forum Chairman Mbongeni Mbingo continued to allow editors to ask him hard questions or allow Makhubu to speak.
King Mswati(pic: Gov).