Correcting Misinformation in Sunday Observer Article, 9 Mar. 2025, Written by Mbongeni Mbingo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 March 2025
Public Statement: A Response to the False Allegations Made by Walter Bennett and Written by Mbongeni Mbingo
In the past year, Walter Bennett and the Eswatini Observer have engaged in a repetitive, deliberate campaign of misinformation against The Luke Commission (TLC) for unknown agendas. Falsehoods published in the Sunday Observer on March 9, 2025, continue the pattern—spreading unverified and misleading claims that have no basis in truth.
What the Observer Got Wrong:
1. The fraud case referenced had nothing to do with TLC Eswatini.
The case involved an American citizen working in the U.S., who embezzled from a private American entity—and TLC Eswatini was never involved in any way.
The case was managed by the US federal government, fully investigated, prosecuted, and resulted in a federal prison conviction—demonstrating financial accountability for wrong doing.
The only connection is that the fraud was committed against TLC’s founders personally while they were serving in Eswatini, and had no financial connection to TLC Eswatini or any government funding.
2. The Observer failed to seek formal comment before publication.
Instead of contacting TLC’s Communications Director or Legal Department, whose details they have, the Observer sent a copy of what they intended to print to a staff member in our construction department, a completely unrelated individual with no request for comment.
Ethical journalism requires verification and fact-checking, yet the Observer deliberately bypassed these steps, choosing to publish misleading claims instead.
3. The author of the article is the Managing Director of the Observer.
This raises serious ethical concerns about conflicts of interest and editorial integrity.
The Observer has demonstrated a pattern of biased reporting that undermines journalistic credibility.
It published a reckless narrative that has misled the public and damaged TLC’s reputation.
TLC’s Official Response:
We demand a full and public retraction and correction from the Sunday Observer.
We have issued a formal cease-and-desist letter to Walter Bennett demanding that he retract his statements and stop spreading misinformation.
We are pursuing legal action for defamation to ensure accountability for this misinformation as well as previous patterns of misinformation and biased reporting.
TLC remains fully transparent and accountable in all its operations. For over 20 years, we have been serving the people of Eswatini with integrity, transparency, and accountability. We urge the public and media institutions to uphold the highest standards of truth and fairness. We stand by the facts and remain committed to dialogue and transparency.
For further inquiries, please contact: Lindani Sifundza, Director of Communications, The Luke Commission, +268 7808 7200
