Leaked Audio Reveals: Five-day plan to discredit PM

A leaked audio recording reveals a plan to discredit Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini after former employees of The Luke Commission (TLC) approached Parliament and Cabinet with allegations that the institution presented unqualified personnel to patients as doctors and prescribed medication intended for animals.

In the recording, a person believed to be a senior official at TLC is heard calling for an aggressive public relations campaign against the premier, declaring: “We have five days to hit the guy and discredit him.”

The discussion reveals plans to exploit a limited period of public attention to challenge the PM’s handling of the allegations, including the proposed circulation of political statements through social media and WhatsApp.

The recording provides an insight into the response being considered by those involved as the Sidvokodvo-based healthcare institution faced mounting scrutiny following petitions by its former employees.

The allegations, which TLC disputes, prompted Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula to appoint a commission of inquiry into the institution’s operations.

TLC subsequently challenged the inquiry in court, disputing the allegations and questioning aspects of the process followed by government.

The High Court has since halted the inquiry pending legal proceedings. In the recording, the person urged those participating in the discussion to intensify the proposed campaign before public attention shifted to the annual Umhlanga Reed Dance.

He called on the team to abandon other priorities and concentrate its efforts on challenging the PM.

“Just drop everything else, forget about it. Let’s push on this one,” he said, warning that public interest in the controversy would soon diminish. He estimated that the matter would remain prominent for approximately a week, giving the team a limited opportunity to influence public opinion.

“Let’s hit him with everything that we have,” he urged. The proposed strategy extended beyond defending TLC against the allegations.

He suggested portraying the PM’s intervention as part of a broader pattern of mistreatment of institutions, referring to an earlier confrontation involving the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya.

His proposed approach sought to raise concerns that other institutions could face similar treatment, shifting public attention from the allegations against TLC to the prime minister’s conduct.

Does every institution in the country want to be treated like this? Do you want to be the next institution? Do you want to be the next one? That’s the message,” he added. Through these questions, he sought to frame the scrutiny and subsequent investigation of TLC as evidence of the PM’s mistreatment of institutions, rather than a legitimate exercise of government oversight and accountability.

He referred to an earlier confrontation involving the ministry of health during the COVID-19 period, drawing comparisons between that dispute and the current controversy.

The recording does not establish the precise nature of any earlier communications campaign or independently confirm that TLC conducted a coordinated campaign against the ministry of health.

However, the man distinguished the present controversy from the earlier dispute, arguing that the PM’s direct intervention and public statements had made him personally vulnerable to criticism.

He maintained that the premier’s handling of the matter presented an opportunity to target him directly, unlike the previous confrontation involving the ministry of health.

“Unlike COVID where the ministry of health, this time, prime minister straight, his head is out because of the way he’s addressing the situation,” the man was heard saying.

The discussion further revealed plans to use statements from politicians who had previously defended TLC, with the man instructing those present to obtain video clips for wider circulation. He identified WhatsApp as one of the proposed distribution channels and indicated that he knew individuals who could assist in spreading the material.

“So, I need the clips of the politicians. I need them because we’ve got to circulate them,” he said. The person repeatedly emphasised the urgency of the proposed campaign, maintaining that the team had five days to discredit the PM before public attention shifted elsewhere.

The PM previously addressed the allegations against TLC during proceedings in Senate, describing the claims raised by former employees as shocking and deeply concerning.

He used the Siswati expression ashacisa lugogo, which translates to ‘terrifying’ or ‘hair-raising’, to convey the disturbing nature of the allegations brought to government’s attention.

The recording also captured discussions about an article published by this newspaper, which questioned why MPs who had vigorously championed public funding for TLC were not showing the same determination in demanding answers to allegations raised by its former employees.

Although the man did not identify the article by title, his description corresponded with a Sunday Observer interview with Senator Princess Ncengencenge.

In that interview, the senator questioned why politicians who had strongly supported the institution during debates over public funding appeared less vocal when former employees raised allegations warranting independent investigation.

“These allegations are grave and demand urgent investigation. I appreciate the PM’s office for committing to act, but I am concerned that the politicians who vigorously pushed for TLC’s funding are not showing the same determination to get to the bottom of these allegations,” she said.

She also expressed concern over allegations that former employees were encouraged to lobby parliamentarians and discredit those questioning TLC’s use of public funds, calling on the minister of health to clarify that agreement, which has still not been presented to Parliament despite the Senate’s calls for clarity over the terms under which taxpayers’ money is channelled to TLC.

“That agreement is the one that would have ensured that we do not get to such a situation where Emaswati workers are claiming such startling things because government would have had a way to monitor,” she stated.

…PM UNFAZED

Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is not losing any sleep over a leaked audio recording in which a person believed to be a senior official of The Luke Commission (TLC) is heard proposing an aggressive campaign to discredit him.

The PM’s office says the premier remains focused on his responsibilities and will not be distracted by attempts to undermine his leadership, should the recording prove authentic.

Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, responding on behalf of the PM’s office, said the plot, was neither unprecedented nor sufficient to divert Dlamini’s attention from government business.

“The prime minister is not losing any sleep over the audio in question. If legitimate, it would certainly not be the first time individuals have devised schemes to undermine his leadership and discredit him and his office,” Mdluli said.

“He remains focused on his responsibilities and will not be distracted by such attempts,” she insisted.

Meanwhile, TLC Legal Advisor and Spokesperson Zakhele Dlamini said the institution respects the constitutional authority of government and does not subscribe to conduct intended to undermine public officials.

“TLC believes that any disagreement it may have with any government authority, including with the office of the prime minister, on any approach to TLC governance and operations, can only be resolved through amicable engagement, failing which through appropriate court intervention,” he stated. He maintained that undermining, denigrating or disrespecting government authorities was neither the institution’s position nor its approach.

However, TLC stopped short of directly confirming or denying whether a senior official of the institution was the speaker in the recording. Instead, Dlamini questioned the recording’s verification and context, maintaining that the institution would not speculate about material that had not been independently authenticated.

“TLC will not engage in speculation concerning purported recordings that have not been independently authenticated or verified in their full context as prescribed by law,” he said.