BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – Busineman and former Senator, Walter Bennett, has challenged those alleging that the ongoing exercise of recruitment in the army is mered by corruption scandals, nepotism to provide proof.
Reports by some online publications have made allegations that the recruitment exercise of members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) were not transparent but claimed recruits were chosen through corrupt activities such as bribery and nepotism.
In light of these startling allegations, Bennett has challenged publishers of this information to provide proof and not just baseless and speculative information.
Bennett challenged these online platforms that in order to deal with corruption effectively, they, as authours of the articles, should try and keep away from corruption themselves.
In fact, he warned that the kingdom and government departments in the kingdom, as right-minded people they should not respond to an entity that is not resident and taking advantage of that to mislead the nation.
“Who holds them to account? You must must remember that there were insults traded even to the head of state, and a case was brought up by the then acting or deputy prime minister, and I don’t know what became of it, but I think it was resolved,” said Bennett.
He rhetorically asked why they should continue to entertain such publications because they sensationalised issues instead of reporting truthfully and ethically.
“So, where’s the proof of these things that they are talking about? Where is it surely? If there is such an interest in focusing on the kingdom, why doesn’t this entity come to the kingdom? Why aren’t they based here? What are they running from,” asked Bennett rhetorically.
The businessman added that the bigger picture of this was that they should not abuse the country that is hosting them by maligning a neighbour.
Such action, Bennett said indirectly, it meant that the country is being maligned by the neighbouring country.
“I don’t understand it. I mean, the government in the kingdom is there, the minister that is responsible for the media is there and the attorney general is also there.”
Bennett said something must be done to address this or else there individuals who also wanted to promote it, or perhaps scared that their dirty linen might be exposed.
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