eSwatini (formerly Swaziland)

(CPJ/IFEX) – In an 11 May 2001 letter to King Mswati III, CPJ expressed its grave concern over the unwarranted suspensions of the weekly “Guardian” and the monthly “Nation”, two independent publications based in the Swazi capital, Mbabane. On 2 May, police arrested the “Guardian”‘s editor, Thulani Mthethwa, and drove him to police headquarters in […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a 9 May 2001 MISA statement: MISA condemns banning of media in Swaziland The Media Institute of Southern Africa regrets the decision and the action taken by the Swaziland government on May 4, 2001 to prevent the publication of the Guardian of Swaziland newspaper and the Nation magazine. MISA also […]

(MISA/IFEX) – As of 4 May 2001, the government of Swaziland has banned the print version of the “Guardian” newspaper from circulating in the country, in the wake of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration. The newspaper has been blamed for not fulfilling all the requirements under the country’s media laws, […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Information Mntonzima Dlamini, RSF protested the suspension of the weekly “Guardian” and the monthly “Nation”. “We ask that you reconsider this decision,” said Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general. “It is surprising that these two publications, known for their critical tone toward the authorities, are the only ones […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Editor Martin Dlamini of the “Times of Swaziland” was subpoenaed and has appeared before Senior Magistrate Sabelo Mngomezulu in Mbabane to testify in a case of six trade union leaders charged with contempt of court. The trade union officials are charged with going against an Industrial Court ruling that outlawed a two-day mass […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 14 November 2000, Swazi police expelled two foreign journalists from the country, reportedly telling them never to return. South African journalists Themba Molefe and photographer Pat Seboko, both working for the “Sowetan” newspaper, were stopped at a road block and held for two hours. They were then driven about forty kilometres to […]

(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI media release: FXI CONDEMNS SWAZI GOVERNMENT’S ACTIONS AGAINST THE MEDIA The Freedom of Expression Institute is appalled at the manner in which journalists are being treated in Swaziland and finds it reminiscent of the way in which the apartheid government dealt with the press in the repressive climate […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The Swazi government has threatened to get tough with foreign journalists, reports the IRIN humanitarian information news agency. The threat came after Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini announced a ban on 28 October 2000 on all future meetings of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) and the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Several journalists have been harassed amid mounting tensions in the country stemming from the forced evictions of people in the Macetjeni and KaMkhweli areas because of a chieftancy dispute. According to reports, the two chiefs in the area have been demoted by the Swaziland National Council (SNC) and another chief imposed in their […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 14 September 2000, Minister for Public Service and Information M.M. Dlamini ordered the reinstatement of thirty-two employees from the Swaziland Television Authority (STVA) following an appeal to this effect by the Swaziland Media, Publishers and Allied Workers Union (SMEPAWU). However, on 20 September, the minister withdrew his order, effectively dismissing the workers […]

**Updates IFEX alerts of 12 July 2000, 27, 22, 21 and 17 September 1999** (MISA/IFEX) – Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Lincolin Ngarua has withdrawn charges of criminal defamation against journalist Bheki Makhubu. Makhubu, who is currently editor of “The Nation” newspaper, was charged last year, shortly after being dismissed as editor of the “Times […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is an 11 July 2000 CPJ, Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA), Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) and ARTICLE 19 joint statement on press freedom, addressed to Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini: July 11, 2000 H.E. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini Prime Minister of Swaziland Mbabane, Swaziland VIA FAX: 268.6.43943 Your Excellency: We, […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The latest edition of the only independent news magazine in Swaziland, “The Nation”, is under threat of being withdrawn from circulation amid allegations that it was contravening the country’s Copyright Act. The PANA news agency reports that a lawyer in Mbabane has demanded the withdrawal of all copies of the April edition of […]

On 23 March 2000, the board of directors of the Swaziland Television Broadcasting Corporation (STBC) abruptly fired the thirty-one employees who went on strike in October 1999. The board’s decision to sack the employees superseded the findings of the one-man commission of inquiry, carried out by Rudolf Maziya, who concluded that the employees were not […]

**Updates IFEX alerts of 24, 21, 18 and 17 February 2000** (CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is deeply concerned about the abrupt closure, on 17 February 2000, of the state-owned Swazi Observer media group, which includes the daily “Swazi Observer”, the “Weekend Observer”, and the weekly “Intsatseli”. This decision appears to be the latest and most serious […]

The following is an 18 February 2000 joint statement on the closure of the Swazi group of newspapers: TO: Senator Magwagwa Mdluli Minister of Public Service and Information Fax: +268 40 45379 Dr Sibusiso Dlamini Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland Fax: +268 40 43943 Mr Themba Dlamini Managing Director, Tibiyo Takangwane Fax: +268 […]