EBIS’S MAFA, COP PICTURE IN STUDIO SETS TONGUES WAGGING

MBABANE – A picture of EBIS broadcaster Lindelwa Mafa in studio with a police officer has got social media abuzz.

EBIS is the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services, a state-owned radio station. The picture was uploaded on Facebook purportedly as a status update on Mafa’s wall and has since been deleted. The image shows the radio broadcaster seemingly going about her duties while the police officer, who is in full uniform, is standing by a corner inside the studio. It is unknown who took the picture. After it was uploaded on Facebook, the picture was shared several times and started trending on Twitter as well.

Questioned

Most social media users questioned why police officers had been deployed to guard the state-owned media, in particular inside the studio. They expressed their disappointment in government on how resources were used for ‘trivial’ matters.  A number of users stated that the police had a duty to protect the country and solve complex crimes instead of standing in radio stations guarding people who did not need any protection. It could not be easily ascertained if the police officer was guarding Mafa or he was simply in studio for other business. It is worth noting that since the unrest, police have been a common feature at EBIS. When reached for comment, Mafa refused to comment on the issue.

Hacked

This publication wanted to get information from her if she was the one who uploaded the picture as a status update on her wall, or could it be that her account was hacked. This publication also wanted to know if the police officer was guarding her or was simply in studio for other business. Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini, when reached for comment, stated that this was a matter which could be addressed by the police. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said there was no police officer assigned to guard broadcasters.  She said the reason why police were at times found at EBIS was not for public consumption.

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