Politics

MBABANE – Depending on what the Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini decides, there is a possibility that those who are found to have leaked sensitive government information will be named and shamed.

During the appearance of the Private and Cabinet Office at Senate, a question was raised on whether government needs to pay attention to the issue of misinformation and information leakage as most of the time, such issues are difficult to correct, leading to people making their own conclusions.

It was submitted that this often involves the spread of lies and the trading of insults.

“This country won’t move forward with the way we spread misinformation. For example, the recent issues of the police officer that committed suicide has drawn a lot of misinformation as some people now link this to the issue of Phase II,” submitted Senator Chief Ngangabani.

Senators also asked to know what is being done to bring a lasting solution on the misinformation and leakage since it is becoming a norm yet the PM’s Office has a security wing which should be on its toes when it comes to this matter, including access to the use of cyber forensics.

In responses tabled yesterday, it was stated that Cabinet has discussed this matter at length and that the senior government security officer also has information on some of the perpetrators do not only use electronic means of gathering information, but they carry it in their brains and share it with anarchists and enemies of the State.

The report highlights that the act of sharing the information with the enemies of the State makes the perpetrators accomplices to the country’s problems.

The report reads: “Cabinet has, however, agreed that these people be exposed but for now, the prime minister chooses to play his cards close to the chest”.

It is highlighted that the Office of the Government Security Officer has made significant strides in conducting awareness on the importance of maintenance of confidentiality in information and has implemented some proper records management.

Furthermore, the report states, advanced security systems are being installed.

Notably, our sister publication, the Times SUNDAY recently reported how while Cabinet was deliberating on national issues, an uninvited intruder was reportedly listening in and following the meetings.

So serious was the security breach that on many occasions, important content from the meetings made its way to external entities and the media, who allegedly used it for their own benefit.

This breach was confirmed by the PM in an exclusive interview with our publication.

It was said that the breach was so serious that there were even attempts to bug the PM’s mobile communication devices.

These moves were thwarted as well.

However, the PM’s office disclosed that it was yet to thoroughly sweep cabinet offices for any listening devices or listening bugs that may still be hidden at Hospital Hill.

Full article available in our paper.

Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, whose office had a security breach. (Courtesy pic)