By Zweli Martin Dlamini
Africa-Press – Eswatini. Swazi Observer Managing editor Mbongeni Mbingo has been consistently attacking the Parliament Public Accounts Committee(PAC), he recently questioned the trip to India where Members of Parliament(MPs) travelled on a Fact-Finding Mission amid investigation into shortage of drugs in public hospitals.
Firstly, let me bring to the attention of the Nation that I am the former Executive member of the Eswatini Editors Forum(EEF) and when I expose Mbongeni Mbingo I normally do so based on the facts.
As journalists we have tried on numerous occasions to warn Mbingo privately to stop his “pay-as-you go” journalism.
But alas, he is prioritizing money while scandalizing State institutions in favour of alleged corrupt thieves like Ashraff, some of us won’t allow Mbingo’s personal interests to supersede the public interest particularly, on a very sensitive issue involving people’s lives.
Mbingo has been attacking Auditor General(AG) Timothy Matsebula, Funduzi Forensic Services and the Public Accounts Committee(PAC), these institutions and public figures are vigorously working on the shortage of drugs in public hospitals matter and, SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff stands accused of looting billions of public funds.
We will not allow “pay-as-you go” journalism to undermine State institutions in this country, the PAC is playing it’s oversight role as the Legislative Arm of Government to investigate and verify fundings the various Auditor General’s reports.
I remember in one of our workshops as editors at Sibane Hotel, University of Eswatini(UNESWA) Lecturer Maxwell Mthembu, the late editor Thulani Tfwala and other senior media practitioners were present,I warned Mbingo to stop this “pay as you go” journalism where corrupt thieves will approach him to defend corruption but seemingly, he is continuing with this “nonsense”.
The Swazi Observer is now a play-ground for Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini and his alleged corrupt thieves including Ashraff, Mbongeni Mbingo has resorted to defending corruption while attacking public figures who are investigating corruption in public administration.
The shortage of drugs in public hospitals is a very sensitive issue and might trigger a political unrest if not addressed, the people are increasingly becoming frustrated with no hope.
Parliament through the PAC is bringing hope by investigating this matter, all the alleged corrupt thieves must be held accountable.
But it is very unfortunate to note that, Mbingo might be of the view that, just because Ashraff allegedly paid for the wedding with his wife Primrose Mbingo and is allegedly paying to manage narratives amid the drugs shortage crisis, then the over 1.2million emaSwati must suffer without drugs in public hospitals.
The PAC must be allowed to work on this matter without being disturbed by “pay-as-you go” journalism, the love of money is dangerous once it reaches a point where a journalist will disregard the lives of emaSwati in favour of pieces of silver.
Unlike Ashraff, some of us don’t have an alternative country and,we won’t allow alleged thieves to destroy our country and then use the money allegedly stolen from public coffers to pay State journalists, control narratives while attacking State institutions.
The PAC is a Parliament accountability institution with State powers to investigate the disappearance of public funds, we know the operations of Kareem Ashraff and any journalist who defends his alleged corruption is normally paid to mislead the masses.
Unfortunately, the independent media is here, we want justice amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, Parliament must not be distracted by this “pay-as-you-go” journalism.
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