Paster Bakhe Dlamini has since been removed as a Speaker at the Swazi Fest Writer’s Awards following threats to boycott the event.

This follows a now controversial statement that was made by Dlamini and published by the Times of Eswatini.

Dlamini who had been unveiled as one of the Speakers at the inaugural Swazi Fest Writer’s Awards was quoted to have said “It is not the church’s mandate to be involved in politics”.

The statement did not sit well with many Emaswati as many felt like the Paster should have kept quiet if there was nothing of substance to say.

Meanwhile, one of PUDEMO members Sakhile Nxumalo on Saturday urged the organisers of Swazi Fest Writer’s Awards to remove the Yonder Worship Centre Found as a Speaker on this even.

“Thando Clement Dlamini can you remove that clown called Bakhe if you are part of the organiser. At least labanye batithulele this clown had declared kutsi ikuyiphi liside. When people were killed by security forces he never said any wordlamuhla ngoba banftu sebasukumile to say the monarchy must be removed soya khuluma, ukhuluma kuphapha,” said Nxumalo.

Nxumalo also came back to inform the public that Pastor Bakhe has since been removed from the event.

“Following serious engagement with the organisers of this event, Bakhe Dlamini has been removed and he won’t partake on this event. We maintain that Bakhe Dlamini is the enemy of the people and he must (be) removed anywhere anytime,” said Nxumalo.

Meanwhile, Thando Dlamini one of the organisers confirmed the withdrawal of Pastor Bakhe as a Speaker.

“Ever since he (Pastor Bakhe) released a statement national newspapers, we have been receiving threats. The people were saying they will boycott the event. The public were about to boycott the event so we had to act swiftly and remove him immediately,” said Dlamini.

This year’s Writer’s Awards whose aim is to appreciate and motivate authors who are doing a great job in solicitation of ethical Moreland advocating for phenomenon based on specific subject will be hosted at Sibane hotel on the 27th November 2021.