Swazi Observer

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DRAMA AT PM, EDITORS FORUM BREAKFAST MEETING

By Bodwa Mbingo and Musa Simelane | 2024-09-18

In an unexpected occurrence, there was drama that almost brought the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini’s breakfast meeting with members of the Eswatini Editors Forum to an abrupt halt at the Mountain View Hotel in Mbabane yesterday.

This was when the Nation Magazine Editor, Bheki Makhubu, became very emotional and literally fired a broad salvo at the prime minister in the live broadcasted event and right in the presence of other cabinet ministers, principal secretaries, top government officials, editors and other members of the media.

Makhubu questioned the prime minister’s handling of the media and further telling him off about how he felt he needed to be praised yet the media was meant to keep him and other top government officials in check.

This was soon after the prime minister had spoken at length about the need for everyone who took part in the monthly breakfast meetings to uphold respect, yet he took offence to Times of Eswatini Managing Editor Martin Dlamini’s line of questioning and labelled that publication as one that was absolutely negative in everything they publish about government.

He had earlier said the focus of the meeting was to provide updates to the public on progress government had made and answer questions the media had.

“It’s important to note that this is a serious event done in the public interest, not to settle individual ambitions.

‘‘Keep it in mind that senior government officials are here. What will determine the future of this meeting is if we keep it focused and we conduct ourselves professionally. Government reserves the right to answer any questions and also not to do that on disrespectful questions,” he said.

As soon as Makhubu took over the microphone, he literally attacked the prime minister. What also seemed to irk the Nation Magazine editor was the absence of incumbent Information, Communication and Technology Minister Savannah Maziya at the meeting.

Editors Forum Chairman Mbongeni Mbingo had to rush to Makhubu’s table to calm him down and bring him to order, but already the damage was done. Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo jumped to the prime minister’s defence, calling for the end of the meeting there and there.

At this time, some principal secretaries from various ministries were already up and ready to take the bull by its horn.

Apologised
Soon after Minister Khumalo’s reaction and when everyone was ready to accept that the event had come to an end, Mbingo intervened and profusely apologised to the prime minister for what had happened and took full responsibility for everything that had occurred on behalf of the forum.

In all this, the prime minister then acted responsibly and took over the microphone, telling everyone to sit down and calm down. He allowed the meeting to continue, took a series of other questions and responded to them.

At the end, Makhubu was ready to apologise for the incident and ready to move on. In a statement later in the day, Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said the outbursts against the prime minister were not only completely uncalled for, but were also highly-regretted.

He said this was especially so because Makhubu kept bringing into the interaction the name of Their Majesties in a conversation that did not concern them – bringing their names into disrepute.

“It should be noted that this is not the first time that Makhubu has been disrespectful to the prime minister as he demonstrated similar behaviour during the last two Editors Forum meetings.

‘‘The prime minister has always insisted that such meetings should be used to address critical national issues and not be about individuals. However, Makhubu has consistently failed to either show respect or professionalism in these meetings,” he said.

He commended the prime minister's leadership acumen and maturity in handling the situation before it degenerated into a circus, while also recognising and acknowledging the importance of the intervention of the Chairman of the Editors Forum Mbingo, to calm the situation down.

“Government further wishes to express appreciation to the nation, particularly those that have been rallying behind the Office of the Prime Minister and openly condemning this appalling act against the head of government.

‘‘To protect the Office of the Prime Minister, government has taken the decision to redesign how the public will be informed about government business and issues of national importance going forward,” he said.

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