**Updates IFEX alerts dated 4 August, 13 July 8 June and 13 March 1995** The news editor of the “Swazi Observer”, Donny Nxumalo, has been suspended indefinitely for writing what the paper’s management terms “defamatory statements” about public figures. The “Observer” is a daily newspaper owned by a trust headed by Swaziland’s head of state, […]
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 4 August, 13 July
8 June and 13 March 1995**
The news editor of the “Swazi Observer”, Donny Nxumalo, has been
suspended indefinitely for writing what the paper’s management
terms “defamatory statements” about public figures. The
“Observer” is a daily newspaper owned by a trust headed by
Swaziland’s head of state, King Mswati II. According to the South
African Press Association (SAPA), Managing Director of the trust
Jeremiah Gule informed Nxumalo in a letter that his suspension
resulted from failure to heed warnings “to desist from using the
newspaper to carry defamatory statements against members of the
public.”
The “Observer”s editor-in-chief, Vusi Sibisi, said the “Observer”
was still considering how to respond to the suspension of
Nxumalo, adding that the paper would work closely with the
Journalist Association of Swaziland and the Media, Publishing and
Allied Workers Union (MPAWU). Head of the MPAWU, Sam Lukhele,
informed MISA that the union was due to meet with Nxumalo on 14
August, and would then decide what action to take. Lukhele
indicated that the union would take the position that Nxumalo
should not have been singled out for suspension. “If there are
valid grounds for suspending anyone, managing editor Cyril
Dlamini and editor-in-chief Sibisi should have been suspended as
they are responsible for what finally appears in the
newspaper,” he said.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Jeremiah Gule:
stand up for staff, rather than collaborate in what appears to be
a deliberate attempt to intimidate journalists working for the
“Swazi Observer” and other Swazi media
Appeals To
Mr. Jeremiah Gule
Managing Director
Tibiyo Taka Ngwane Trust
Lozitha
P.O. Box 181 Kwaluseni
Swaziland
Fax: +268 84399
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
