LEGAL THREATS WON’T FIX THE PASSPORT CRISIS

As thousands of emaSwati continue to struggle to obtain passports and identity documents, the focus within the Ministry of Home Affairs appears to be shifting away from solving the crisis and towards attacking those exposing it.

Reports emerging this week suggest that Princess Lindiwe, the Minister of Home Affairs, wants Attorney General Sifiso “Mashampu” Khumalo to once again pursue legal action against Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini over reports alleging corruption within the ministry.

The development has sparked fresh debate about accountability, transparency, and the growing tendency of those in power to respond to criticism with legal threats instead of addressing the concerns being raised.

For ordinary citizens, the issue is not about court battles between politicians and journalists. The issue is passports. The issue is identity documents. The issue is the growing frustration of citizens who cannot access basic government services despite paying taxes and despite repeated promises that the problems would be resolved.

Across the country, countless emaSwati continue to complain about delays in obtaining passports and national identity documents. Some have reportedly lost employment opportunities abroad because they could not secure travel documents in time. Others have been unable to pursue educational opportunities, medical travel, or family commitments because of bureaucratic failures.

Instead of seeing a transparent plan to address these challenges, the public is once again witnessing conflict between government officials and the media.

The irony is difficult to ignore. If the Ministry of Home Affairs is functioning effectively, then evidence should be readily available. Citizens should be able to walk into government offices and obtain passports within reasonable timeframes. Statistics should demonstrate improvements. Service delivery should speak for itself.

Yet the complaints continue.

What makes the situation even more troubling is that this is happening in a country where many citizens already feel disconnected from decision-making processes. Eswatini remains an absolute monarchy where ordinary people have limited mechanisms to hold powerful officials accountable. In such an environment, independent journalism becomes one of the few remaining tools available to expose alleged wrongdoing and ask difficult questions.

The use of courts to challenge media reports is a legitimate right available to every citizen. If anyone believes they have been defamed, they are entitled to seek legal remedies. However, there is a significant difference between defending one’s reputation and using the threat of litigation to intimidate journalists.

History has shown that legal action does not automatically silence public concern. In fact, it often raises even more questions.

The central issue remains unresolved: why are so many emaSwati struggling to obtain passports and identity documents?

Citizens are less interested in political battles and more interested in practical solutions. They want functioning systems. They want efficient services. They want government departments that work.

No amount of legal threats will shorten passport queues. No lawsuit will produce identity documents for frustrated citizens. No court application will restore public confidence if the underlying problems remain unresolved.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has a responsibility to the people of Eswatini. That responsibility is not to win arguments on social media or engage in public disputes with journalists. It is to ensure that every eligible citizen can access passports, identity documents, and other essential services without unnecessary delays.

As public frustration grows, the government faces a choice. It can continue fighting critics, or it can focus on fixing the problems that gave rise to the criticism in the first place.

For thousands of emaSwati still waiting for passports, the answer is obvious.

They need documents, not excuses. They need services, not threats. And above all, they need a government that responds to failure with solutions rather than retaliation.