(MISA/IFEX) – On 16 October 2005, “Times of Swaziland” sports journalist Douglas Dlamini was assaulted by a soccer player for publishing a court report in which the player was charged with drinking and driving. The incident took place at the Somhlolo national stadium, outside the capital Mbabane, during a Premier League match involving two clubs, […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 16 October 2005, “Times of Swaziland” sports journalist Douglas Dlamini was assaulted by a soccer player for publishing a court report in which the player was charged with drinking and driving.
The incident took place at the Somhlolo national stadium, outside the capital Mbabane, during a Premier League match involving two clubs, Manzini Wanderers and Green Mamba F.C. Dlamini’s assailant, who plays for the Wanderers team, first demanded to know from the journalist why he published the story about him. When he was told that he was a public figure and that the article generated public interest, the player lashed out at the journalist, slapping him with an open hand across the face.
What could have escalated into a full scale assault on the journalist was saved by the timely intervention of other journalists and soccer officials. Nearby police officers failed to take action.
Dlamini subsequently laid an assault charge at the nearby police post, where police officers reluctantly took his statement. As a result, the soccer player was not arrested for his action and is walking free.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Swaziland has condemned the action by the soccer player and called on the Football Association of Swaziland and the club to discipline the player to ensure that similar offences are not committed in future. MISA also called on the police to arrest the player and allow justice to take its course.
