By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Zweli Martin Dlamini,the editor of this Swaziland News received an email from Galito’s International on Friday, directing him to delete the “Galitos Eswatini boss Colin Carlston disappears with about R4million workers terminal benefits” story or be taken to court.

A Director of Galito’s told the editor that, they were contacted by some Shareholders in Mauritius expressing concerns that, their brand was being dragged into the eSwatini court case when in fact the case is about businessman Colin Carlston.

This comes after Colin Carlston, the Director of Galito’s Eswatini allegedly disappeared with about R4million workers’ benefits after selling the company, 

“As a point of fact-Galito’s is a Brand and not the employer of the individuals/employees in question and the actual employer was/is the company “Chowtown” of which Mr Colin Carlston was a Director and not of Galito’s”, reads the email in part from Galito’s International sent to the editor.

But the editor responded to the email and clarified that, he won’t delete the story and that, he won’t publish any apology as the article was accurate particularly because “Galito’s was cited in the court papers”.

The editor told Galito’s International that, journalistically, a matter “pending before the court is normally reported based on the court papers” he maintained that, the story won’t be deleted. 

“Galito’s has been cited in the court papers as Mr Colin Carlston was operating under your brand so it’s accurate on our part to cite Galito’s.We will not delete the article on our website and social media platforms because we believe it’s accurate and we will not issue any apology,” reads the email in part sent to Galito’s International by the editor.

On another note, after sending the email, Galito’s Eswatini Director Mr Colin Carlston contacted the editor a few hours later and confirmed that, the matter is before the Industrial Court and therefore he won’t comment.

“Hi Zweli, unfortunately I was unable to reply to your call before consultation with my lawyer. With reference to your article today regarding my involvement with Chowtown, I confirm that this matter is before Industrial Court & I have been advised by my lawyer not to comment as it is sub judice,” said the  Galito’s Eswatini Director.

Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini said, he viewed the email as an act of intimidation and maintained that he won’t tolerate bullying.

“If Galito’s International is concerned about brand reputational damage, they must engage the lawyers representing the workers and facilitate the payment of the R4million and settle the matter out of court. It’s Galito’s International who approved their brand to be used by Colin Carlston as a trading name and therefore, for as a long as the matter remains unresolved and before the court, we will report,” said the editor.