MBABANE:Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of this Swaziland News has ordered three(3) State controlled journalists to pay back thirteen thousand Rands(R13,000.00) and three thousand Rands(R3,000.00) respectively, they allegedly extorted from an elderly high profile man.
The journalists work for the Times, Observer and the Independent News, three(3) of them had already pocketed the said amount while a journalist of the Independent News was busted while waiting to receive his share.
This comes after a friend to the elderly man reported to editor Zweli Martin Dlamini that, the journalists were taking turns, collecting money from the elderly man threatening to expose that, he was cheating with a young woman.
The elderly man works closely with King Mswati and was afraid that, the journalist might destroy his reputation.
Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini urged all high profile people to report to the police, Anti Corruption Commission(ACC) and expose all journalists who take advantage of knowing their secrets to extort money, he said if these State institutions fail to take action, they must report directly to the Swaziland News.
“I will not reveal their names for now, I just want them to pay back the money to the elderly man. One journalist from the Swazi Observer has already paid the R3,000.00 and the other two(2) from the Times promised to pay the R13,000.00 month-end. Bashweletile batsi bacela kuyibhadala. I will give them until the 3rd October 2024 kutsi babe bayibhadale yonkhe. Angizange sengive mine kutsi kukhona umuntfu longabhadaliswa ma-journalists imali kutsi uganiwe noma loko kuganana kungafaki public funds?. Kugana nekuganwa sekulicala lakaNgwane?. I am not revealing the names of the journalists because I’m protecting the victim of the extortion but if they fail to pay back the money by the 3rd October 2024, I might change my decision and expose them”, said the editor.
But the Swazi Observer journalist when paying back the R3,000.00, allegedly pleaded with the elderly man not to report Zwemart.
The R3,000.00 was made immediately after editor Zweli Martin Dlamini posted on his Facebook page urging the State controlled journalists to pay back the money,the others from the Times rushed to the elderly man pleading with him to give them until month-end to pay.
Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini.