(RSF/IFEX) – On 25 October 2002, RSF deplored the stabbing death of journalist Zweli Mabila, from the government daily “The Swazi Observer”, in Mbabane, the country’s capital, during the night of 23 to 24 October. He was the third journalist from the newspaper to be killed in one year. “Those behind this latest killing and […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 25 October 2002, RSF deplored the stabbing death of journalist Zweli Mabila, from the government daily “The Swazi Observer”, in Mbabane, the country’s capital, during the night of 23 to 24 October. He was the third journalist from the newspaper to be killed in one year.
“Those behind this latest killing and the others must be found immediately and punished,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said in a letter to Swazi Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini. “Journalists must be able to do their job in complete safety.”
Mabila, a sports reporter, was stabbed a few yards from his home by unknown assailants as he was returning from work in the evening. He died the next morning from his injuries. The police have not yet established a motive for the murder.
Two suspects have been arrested and will soon be tried in the 1 October 2001 murder of another “The Swazi Observer” journalist, Sandile Ntshakala. The third journalist from the newspaper, Vinny Dlamini, was stabbed to death in the eastern town of Siketi, during a dispute.
