Speaking to editors during a breakfast meeting on 29 January 2009, Dlamini said the media shouldn’t be afraid of him as the constitution protects them. He said in the event something untoward happens to anyone of them, journalists can always seek redress in court.

The Prime Minister was reacting to concerns from one of the editors about Dlamini’s leadership style, recalling his previous tenure. Times of Swaziland managing editor, Martin Dlamini had said the media had been uneasy since Dlamini’s re-appointment as they did not know what he had in store for them this time.

He said these fears were compounded by recent events when Times columnist Mfomfo Nkambule was harassed by state police and traditional authorities for expressing himself.

In response, the Prime Minister assured the journalists that he would not harass them this time and they will enjoy their freedoms. On Nkambule’s case, he said as government they had a duty to protect the King from criticism, hence the columnist was questioned by the police about his views.

But on the same breath, the Prime Minister banned the media from writing about political parties which the government does not recognize. These parties include the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) whose leader, Mario Masuku is currently in jail for allegedly supporting terrorism.

Background

During the Prime Minister’s previous term, he not only harassed the media, but also demonstrated total disregard for the rule of law resulting in the complete collapse of the judiciary. This saw the en masse resignation of the Appeals Court judges who only came back after Dlamini was fired and a new Prime Minister appointed.

During his previous term, Dlamini also banned two media houses, the Nation Magazine and the Guardian newspaper. While the Nation fought its way back to life in court, the Guardian remains banned even today.

The popular view in Swaziland is that Dlamini was reappointed for his tough-handedness and has a strict mandate to specifically deal with perceived state enemies.

Rashweat Mukundu
Programme Specialist: Media Freedom Monitoring
MISA Regional Secretariat
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek, Namibia
Tel: + 264 61 232 975
Fax:+264 61 248016
Mobile: 00 264 813 675 362
E mail rashweat@misa.org, misaalerts@gmail.com

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