eSwatini (formerly Swaziland)

(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 September 2005, Prime Minister Absalom Themba Dlamini accused the media of sensationalism and false reporting, sounding a warning that the government would be forced to “monitor” the press if it did not desist from such practices. Addressing the police force while he toured their facilities, the Prime Minister (PM) said the […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 19 August 2005, the “Times of Swaziland Sunday” was interdicted from publishing a story which was found to be defamatory by the High Court. The newspaper has appealed the ruling. Myzo Magagula, chief executive officer of the state-owned “Swazi Observer” newspaper, had brought the application in her personal capacity. She argued in […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Alec Lushaba, a senior journalist with the “Swazi Observer” newspaper, has been the victim of continued threats and intimidation as a result of his ongoing investigation and series of articles about a top lawyer’s involvement in a corruption scandal. On 17 September 2005, Lushaba published an investigative report in the “Weekend Observer” that […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 29 July 2005, Deputy Prime Minister Albert Shabangu won a staggering E750 000 (approx. US$116,000) in damages in a defamation suit against the “Times of Swaziland” newspaper, following a High Court ruling. The judgment is historical in terms of a settlement amount awarded in Swaziland. The alleged defamatory article was written by […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 7 April 2005, Swazi Prime Minister Absalom Themba Dlamini stressed the importance of “positive” media coverage relating to the activities of King Mswati III. This call follows increasing tension within royal spheres over the belief that the media has an agenda to dethrone the king. The 7 April meeting with editors and […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 18 July 2004, journalist Timothy Simelane and photographer Thulani Ndwadwe, of the “Swazi Observer”, were harassed by former Ludzidzini governor Dibanisa Mavuso at the home of the late chief prince Maguga, in Macetsheni, about 30 kilometres east of Manzini. Simelane and Ndwadwe were covering the late chief’s memorial service when security personnel […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 29 July 2003, the Swaziland government moved toward imposing five-year jail terms on journalists found guilty of contravening the country’s proposed Secrecy Act. The proposed act bars journalists from publishing information regarded by the government as top secret. Civil servants found guilty of disclosing such information face the same punishment. Details of […]

(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 15 April 2003 IPI letter to SADC Chairperson José Dos Santos: H.E. José Dos Santos SADC Chairperson SADC House Gaborone Botswana Fax: (+267) 3972 848 Vienna, 15 April 2003 Your Excellency, The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from over 115 […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ press release: SWAZILAND: Information Minister announces new censorship policy New York, April 11, 2003-Recently appointed Minister of Information Abednego Ntshangase announced on Tuesday, April 8, a new censorship policy for state media in the southern African kingdom of Swaziland Speaking at his first official appearance under his new […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 19 January 2003, Phiwokwakhe Ngidi, a reporter from the “Times of Swaziland” newspaper, was attacked and severely beaten by Bongani Mamba, chairman of Ligcabho Lebuhle Eswatini, an organisation that organises beauty pageants in Swaziland. On 20 January, the “Swazi Observer” newspaper reported that Mamba was angered by an article written by Ngidi […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 12 October 2002, security forces barred five journalists from the “Times of Swaziland” and the “Swazi Observer” and a foreign freelance reporter from covering the proceedings of a prayer meeting organised by different political and social groups in Swaziland. The prayer meeting, termed Justice for Peace, was organised in memory of families […]

(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 […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 3 October 2002, the Swaziland Royal Police, acting on a court order, raided Channel S, the only privately-owned television station in the country, and confiscated a video tape containing a sermon that has been termed by the Swazi government as “threatening the foundations of the kingdom.” According to local sources, the footage […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 30 August 2002, a court ruled that former employees of the Swaziland Television Authority (STVA). fired after walking off the job, be reinstated and compensated for unfair dismissal. Following this ruling, the Industrial Court issued a writ of execution (court order) that Hhohho Deputy Sheriff Maswazi Nsibandze attach equipment valued at one […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 7 November 2001, MISA’s Swaziland chapter (MISWA) reported that the Senate House in the Swazi Parliament endorsed recommendations to fine journalists up to R10,000 (approx. US$1,048) if they write or misquote issues raised in Parliament. According to MISWA, editor of the “Times of Swaziland” (Sunday edition) Vusi Ginindza has recently been fined […]