R2K condemns attacks on free press in Swaziland: will picket outside Swazi Embassy on Tuesday 1 April at 1 pm
Right2Know Campaign calls for the immediate release and dropping of charges against Swazi journalist Bheki Makhubu and human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko. Since March 17th, they have been jailed without trial.
We understand that they have been arrested on contempt of court charges in relation to articles in whcih they questioned the arrest of a government vehicle inspector, Bhantshana Vincent Gwebu, whose trial and treatment highlight a lack of impartiality of the Swazi judicial system. This is not the first time the journalists have been charged. Reportedly their cases were heard in a “private court” where they were neither present, nor were their lawyers allowed access. So they were effectively denied a fair trial.
Under such conditions, their arrest and detention without a trial is authoritarian, politically motivated and designed to threaten other journalists who write critically of the government and of the monarchy.
As Right2Know Campaign, we are committed to free speech as a vital ingredient for any democracy. Our fight for democracy was made stronger thanks to the solidarity of fellow African brothers and sisters. It is in that spirit of solidarity that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Swazi journalists and with ordinary Swazi people’s right to know.
We will hold a picket outside the Swazi embassy from 1pm-2.30pm on Tuesday 1 April to call for the immediate release of the Swazi journalist. We further call on South African authorities to exert maximum pressure on the Swazi government to comply with basic human rights obligations. We encourage all South African journalists in particular, and freedom of expression activists in general to join the picket.
For comment:
Dale McKinley (R2K Gauteng): 072 429 4086
Murray Hunter (R2K Western Cape): 072 6725468
Nomvula Sikakane (R2K KZN): 073 4882374
Correction: A previous version of this statement mistakenly suggested that Makhubu and Maseko’s charges related to criticism of the government vehicle inspector, Mr Gwebu, where in fact it related to their public defence of Mr Gwebu.
