ALPHEOUS REACTS TO ‘ZWEMART’S DPM AUDIO ATTACK

MBABANE – Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo has taken on Swaziland News Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini over his circulating audio.

In a statement issued yesterday, Nxumalo said under normal circumstances, government did not respond to stories or comments by terrorists and proscribed entities. He said, however, because the mainstream media had asked for government’s comment on the circulating audio directed to the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku, by Swaziland News Editor, known as ‘Zwemart’, they would respond.

Greeting

In the audio that this publication was privy to, as it was also circulated in various social media platforms, Dlamini started off by greeting Masuku, and addressing him as honourable. He reminded the DPM that in the past, they both communicated such that he would often visit his (DPM) office. He reminded the DPM that way back, he reported that police arrived at his home and terrorised his children but the DPM never responded to that even once. It was later established from Dlamini that the incident happened some time in 2020. Dlamini said he still had the messages he sent to Masuku regarding the matter. In the audio, he said he did not take much interest in politics, but what mattered was that he expressed that he would be happy that one day the DPM would call a press conference to inform the nation that those police who arrived at his home were in heaven. Dlamini accused government of letting police officers terrorise them in their homes. He said the police terrorised children aged six and eight and he reported such to the DPM, who never responded.

He said he would tell the world that he also went to court to seek an order that the attorney general opposed, hence he did what he had to do to protect his family. Dlamini further stated that whenever he got a chance, he would do it (protecting his family). He said he would stand for what he was saying and wanted such to be known internationally that police arrived (at his home) armed with AK47 and terrorised his children. Dlamini alleged he was in possession of a list of the police officers who came to his home, further stating that there was a need to teach a lesson to the police who came to his home. He made other allegations against the DPM and due to their sensitive nature, they will not be repeated.

Dlamini mentioned that he was not hiding any of the things he claimed he would do and upon doing it, he  would return home to take ownership. Meanwhile, in the statement issued yesterday, Nxumalo noted that in the audio, Dlamini was threatening the lives of security officers and lying about the DPM. Nxumalo alleged that Dlamini was merely confessing to what had become common knowledge, that he was the mastermind behind all the horrendous atrocities involving the brutal murder of members of the security forces and members of the public, including a chief (Chief Mahloma).

Proscribed

Nxumalo said Dlamini was also a member of a proscribed political entity that believed in brutality and violence in pursuing a cause of action to cause misery to families and to the broader members of society. Dlamini’s Swaziland News was proscribed by the government last year. The government spokesperson further alleged that Dlamini had also planned and carried out the burning of public and private property, including business infrastructure, activities which had threatened the country’s economy, and led to massive job losses. He said some families were without fathers and mothers today because of Dlamini’s activities, that he (Nxumalo) described as evil activities. He also said Dlamini was bragging and making fun of the international legal and law enforcement frameworks. “This shows absolute ignorance on how the international legal frameworks work,” he said.

Nxumalo added that Dlamini continued to threaten security and brag about it. He said the editor justified his (alleged) killing by saying the police came to his home to conduct a search.
“We all know that the police are always armed when they conduct operations. In this case, they never threatened nor shot any child, neither did they kill anyone in his homestead. EmaSwati should ask themselves what kind of a human being this is. Lijabhane lomuntfu,” he alleged. Nxumalo said Dlamini had resorted to insulting anyone who did not dance to his horrible music. “For example, he calls the DPM a thief, but he could not provide evidence, or record a statement anywhere because he is in hiding in a known place in the neighbouring State and is a fugitive of the law. He lies every day and taints the names of important people in the country,” said Nxumalo.

Nxumalo said of course, there was nothing inappropriate about him meeting and communicating with the DPM. “Why should meeting the DPM be an issue, as a public servant whose service is neutral? He serves all emaSwati, including those who work against government,” said Nxumalo. The government spokesperson said government assured the nation that the long arm of the law would eventually catch up with him as things were already unravelling in the country right now in terms of the atrocities perpetrated against innocent emaSwati and members of the law enforcement organisations.

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