eSwatini (formerly Swaziland)

(MISA/IFEX) – Applicants short-listed for the four radio licences approved by the government in 2008 may have to wait longer for the licences. This is because the process may have to start afresh, according to the regulator, the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC). SPTC Managing Director Nathi Dlamini has written to the applicants and […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 20 January 2009 an attempt to censor the privately-owned “Times of Swaziland” newspaper failed when the High Court of Swaziland dismissed an application brought by a woman who sought to stop the newspaper from publishing photographs of her. Thobile Ndzimandze, who was recently arrested and in court for allegedly smearing a love […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 12 January 2009, Swaziland’s pressure groups, comprising political parties, trade unions and other civic organisations, petitioned the prime minister, Sibusiso Dlamini, on a number of issues, including access to state media. Pressure groups are currently banned from state media. In their petition, delivered after a march through the streets of Mbabane, the […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 12 January 2009, Mfomfo Nkambule, a popular columnist with the privately owned “Times of Swaziland” newspaper, succumbed to persistent harassment by state police and traditional authorities and publicly apologised to King Mswati III for his recently published series of articles which were highly critical of the king and his leadership style. After […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 5 January 2009, Mfomfo Nkambule, a columnist with the privately-owned “Times of Swaziland” newspaper was censored by state police who interrogated him concerning his weekly articles which are often critical of the king and his leadership. Nkambule, an ex-cabinet minister and member of parliament but now chairperson of a political party known […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 26 December 2008, Ackel Zwane, a news editor for the privately-owned newspaper “The Swazi Observer”, was attacked by a knife-wielding man who managed to cut him once, claiming that the journalist wrote negatively about his father, a well-known church bishop in Swaziland. Narrating his ordeal, Zwane said he was buying meat from […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Journalists covering a recent Incwala first fruits traditional ceremony in Swaziland had it tough as the media reported sporadic incidents where journalists, both local and foreign, were harassed, banned and had their equipment confiscated by the police whilst covering the event. On 12 December 2008, Brian Mohammed, a journalist with the “Times of […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 3 December 2008, state police stormed a MISA training workshop for media personnel and threatened to disrupt it if they were not allowed to monitor it. The two-day workshop on media management was held in Matsapha, outside Manzini, the second city facilitated by SAIMED (Southern African Institute for Media Entrepreneurship Development), from […]

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an abridged ARTICLE 19 press release: Swaziland: Counter-Terrorism Not A Pretext for Repression ARTICLE 19 is seriously concerned about the constricting environment the government of Swaziland is imposing on freedom of expression. Under a controversial Suppression of Terrorism Act that has been passed by the Parliament in May 2008, […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Phesheya Sibiya, a cameraperson employed by the privately-owned Channel Swazi television station, was harassed and had his camera confiscated by a traditional group performing “sacred” rituals for King Mswati III. The group, known as “Bemanti” or Water Party, who were on their way back from the sea where they had gone to fetch […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 17 November 2008, Swaziland’s Attorney General, Majahenkhaba Dlamini, warned that journalists who report critically against the government would be viewed as supporting “terrorists” and arrested. “If you appear to be supporting terrorists in your reporting, woe unto you,” Dlamini told journalists. The warning comes in the wake of growing tension in Swaziland […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 29 October 2008, Swazi journalists were kicked out of a meeting in which the newly-elected and appointed Members of Parliament discussed their pay. The journalists had been allowed to cover the earlier discussions, but when the legislators began to discuss their pay, the media was shown the door. Clerk at Table, Ndvuna […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Swazi police have unearthed a plot to bomb the state-owned “Swazi Observer” newspaper. The development comes in the wake of the arrest of a suspect who survived what the police call a “terrorist” act in which two other men were killed when a bomb exploded prematurely during an attempt to bomb an overhead […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Swaziland’s attempt to free its airwaves took a significant and commendable step forward on 15 September 2008 when government announced the approval of four radio licences to be issued within a month. Approved are three community and one commercial radio licences following an invitation for applications issued more than a year ago. The […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 27 August 2008 Swazi journalists were heavily censored by government officials as they prepared to interview King Mswati III on his return from abroad. Journalists gathered at the King’s palace for the King’s press conference were told what to ask and that each journalist would be allowed only one question. They were […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Freedom of expression came under threat when the government of Swaziland prohibited a protest march organised by civic organisations who wanted to protest against rising ritual killings in the tiny kingdom. The government says it fears the march would embarrass both the country internationally and the king who is currently abroad on a […]