(MISA/IFEX) – On March 2, 2007, controversial church pastor Justice Dlamini threatened two journalists with death through divine intervention. Dlamini shocked a church gathering, which also included Cabinet Ministers, when he declared from the pulpit that he was praying for the death of two journalists, “Times of Swaziland” Managing Editor Martin Dlamini and reporter Nhlanhla […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On March 2, 2007, controversial church pastor Justice Dlamini threatened two journalists with death through divine intervention.
Dlamini shocked a church gathering, which also included Cabinet Ministers, when he declared from the pulpit that he was praying for the death of two journalists, “Times of Swaziland” Managing Editor Martin Dlamini and reporter Nhlanhla Mathunjwa, whom he claims wrote badly about him.
This followed a story published by the “Times” of February 27, 2007, in which the pastor was said to have been involved a squabble over a church vehicle with one of his subordinate pastors.
Pastor Dlamini claimed the story lowered his dignity and said he has prayed to God to remove the two journalists from the face of the earth “to teach the media a lesson”. He said this would also be a lesson to other journalists not to write ‘badly’ about church ministers.
The pastor’s threats have received widespread condemnation from the church and the Cabinet Ministers who were present during the sermon. The “Times” newspaper also ran a front-page editorial on March 5, 2007, condemning the pastor’s threats.
“Times” Managing Editor Martin Dlamini said in a separate interview that he was not scared of the threats as he also believed in God and that God will protect him.
In a public statement, the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Swaziland made it known that it was viewing the threats in a very serious light. MISA Swaziland spoke out strongly against such threats that undermine the principle of freedom of expression and the media freedom which are enshrined in the Swaziland constitution.
The statement called on Pastor Dlamini to follow known channels to address his concerns instead of issuing death threats against journalists.
BACKGROUND:
Pastor Dlamini is no stranger to controversy. A few years ago he raised eyebrows when he claimed that he was going to raise the late “Times of Swaziland” editor, Vusi Ginindza, from the dead. He requested and was granted permission by the family to pray over Ginindza’s lifeless body for his miracle “resurrection”. However, the prayer, which lasted several hours at the morgue, was unsuccessful.
