Anti-govt speakers kept on record - PM

MBABANE – Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini has said government is keeping files on all Swazis who speak negatively about the country and its leaders.

He said those files would be visited when it came to consideration for political positions either by way of standing for elections or when political appointments are made.

 He said this in response to a concern that was raised by Senator Thuli Msane in Parliament last week, that there were people who had a habit of saying seditious things about Swazi authorities inside and outside the kingdom.

“We are aware that certain individuals do this and let me assure senators that we are not taking anything they say lightly nor ignore it. Some of these persons will one day run for elections and want to come to Parliament, but these files will be brought into the picture too,” said the PM.
He also said the files continued to pile up and there will come a time when government will start acting on the cases.

Meanwhile, the same senator also wanted Dlamini to do something about the Correctional Services for putting the face of Commissioner Isaiah Ntshangase on the institution’s official emblem in one of their newsletters.
“It’s an offence for anyone to do this. The next thing you will see others do the same even on the Swazi Coat of Arms emblem. I’m asking the PM to bring caution on this,” said Msane.

The PM acknowledged Msane’s submission and asked her to compile a questionnaire so that Cabinet could do some research on the matter.
The commissioner of Correctional Services, in an interview last week Friday, said he could not comment because the PM had responded already. He said to his recollection it was not the first time the senator had raised the same issue but it had previously been addressed by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze.

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