By Zweli Martin Dlamini

The power of journalism and the privilege to know what others don’t, should not be manipulated for corrupt gain and therefore as journalists, we are not expected to hold public figures hostage just because we claim to know their secrets.

Swazi Observer editor Mbongeni Mbingo who claims to have information about Board Chairman Sthofeni Ginindza, implicating him in the killing of businessman Victor Gamedze, must run to the nearest Police Station after reading this to record a statement and if he fails to do that, that would mean he is just holding Ginindza hostage and blackmailing him which is an act of criminality.

Victor Gamedze was a very prominent figure in this country and Mbongeni Mbingo benefited millions from Gamedze’s generosity and there are allegations suggesting that, even Mbingo’s wife received a car as a gift from the late businessman.

I will not delve much on the alleged events that unfolded between Mbingo, his wife and Victor Gamedze that resulted to the businessman buying a car for Mbongeni Mbingo’s wife because that information is, in my view, not relevant to the subject matter.

It is therefore absurd for Mbingo to betray Victor Gamedze and keep quiet if “he had information implicating Sthofeni Ginindza”, the Swazi Observer editor was supposed to be the first person to demand justice for the late businessman because, the editor was financially breathing Victor Gamedze and as the editor, it is unethical to keep quiet with such information, if it exists, and then blackmail people.

Such conduct is not only unethical but suggests that, Mbingo is a corrupt extortionist, abusing the power of journalism for personal or corrupt gain.

The police must follow-up this matter, if it’s true that Sthofeni Ginindza called ‘Dzodzo’, one of the masterminds in the killing of Victor Gamedze, he must be questioned and arrested if the information amounts to reasonable believe that, he committed a crime but, the ball is now on editor Mbongeni Mbingo’s court.

Mbingo is so arrogant, the Swazi Observer is financially struggling because he is allegedly stealing company funds with impunity, abusing the power of journalism to evade accountability.

As editors, we hold the power of narrative and influence in the court of public opinion but, that does not mean we must evade accountability on allegations of wrongdoing just because we know high profile people’s secrets.

Threatening to expose people when questioned on allegations of corruption just because you are a journalist amounts to corruption, it’s actually abuse of power not only for dishonest gain but, to evade accountability.

The Swazi Observer Governing Board must demand accountability of the missing company funds from Mbingo and Accountant Tengetile Mkhize, I have information as to why the Accountant rushed to Board member Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo when disciplined by Managing Director Allen Mkhonta.

But for now, I have decided not to delve much on Mashampu’s conduct whose failure to close his zip and control his dick is undermining corporate governance principles with regards to the governance of the Tibiyo TakaNgwane owned newspaper.

We have a serious problem in this country, it is becoming a norm for junior staff to sleep with the powerful and politically connected people and then, act in an arrogant manner against legitimate administrators.

Now, the Swazi Observer Managing Director Allen Mkhonta is at home because he tried to discipline employees accused of stealing company funds.

But as the Board Chairman, Sthofeni Ginindza must be seen taking action to address the crisis within the Swazi Observer amid allegations of fraud and corruption and, if he fails to execute his duties as the Chairman of the Governing Board, that would mean he is afraid of being exposed by Mbingo.

Sthofeni Ginindza is known as a ‘no nonsense’ Board Chairman, if he is failing to hold Mbongeni Mbingo accountable, then he must tell us why he is afraid of the editor.