Here are voices in support of Bheki Makhubu, the editor of the Nation magazine who faces two years in jail if he cannot pay a
E200,000 (US$22,000) fine by early next week after being convicted by the
Swaziland High Court of ‘scandalising the court’ by publishing two article in
his magazine that were critical of the Swazi judiciary.
These comments first appeared in the Mail & Guardian newspaper, South Africa.
Vuyisile
Hlatshwayo – National Director Misa – Swaziland
MISA-Swaziland, as a watchdog of media freedom, views
Justice Bheki Maphalala’s judgement on the matter between The King and
Swaziland Independent Publishers (PTY) LTD and Editor of The Nation magazine as a disappointing
judgment under Swaziland’s so called constitutional democracy. It is a brutal
assault to media freedom and free speech. The Nation was the only publication
that was speaking truth to power and was the voice of the voiceless in a
country that is fast becoming a police state. The fine imposed by the judge is also
a total clampdown on media freedom it sends a strong signal to the already censored
newspapers and broadcast media.
Mario Masuku -
Pudemo President
It is not surprising that you would get such court pronouncements
where the freedom of the media is not only suspect but absolutely not there.
As PUDEMO [Swaziland’s biggest political party] we
absolutely condemn such sentences in particular when the person is victimised
for openly criticising a public institution or people acting on public service.
We sympathise not only with The Nation
magazine, but the entire print and electronic media in Swaziland who operate at
the whim of all those in power.
This also touches upon the broader Swazi society as
clearly there is no broad liberal freedom for the people of Swaziland when
there is no level ground in the political, social and economic arena. We will
fight this travesty and see to it that not only are the people’s freedoms
protected and promoted, but also that there is free political participation,
media freedom and accountability.
We encourage MISA, the Swaziland Editors Forum and all
people who embrace democracy and the principles of a better life for all to
condemn such a court pronouncement and take necessary steps to see to it that
such an unfortunate incident is undone and never happens again.
Jabulani Matsebula
– Secretary General Swaziland Editor’s Forum
It is a shock that in this day and age anyone can
actually receive a custodial sentence for criticising a public institution and
expressing himself on the conduct of a public official. This is particularly
disturbing because The Nation
magazine is considered a credible independent voice in Swazi journalism. We
will be taking up the issue with the relevant authorities in government to
express our dismay and call for the review of laws that provide for such harsh
punishment for the expression of views especially because we believe this is contrary
to the provisions of our constitution.
Lucky Lukhele –
Swaziland Solidarity Network
We see the entire case against Makhubu as a witch hunt and
a political manoeuvre on the country’s only independent magazine and the
government’s most fearless critic.
The mere fact that the judge has allowed his political superiors
to use the courts to suppress media freedom is the biggest show of contempt for
the country’s laws and its judiciary. The judgment against Makhubu and the subsequent
attention which it has generated has caused far much more harm to the
reputation of the country’s judiciary than the said article ever could.
As the SSN we condemn this outright declaration of war against
media freedom and call upon all the country’s media institutions to rally
behind Makhubu in his quest for justice, which will have an impact on all media
outlets in the country.
Musa Nkambule -
Chairperson Sive Siyinqaba
Sive Siyinqaba – Sibahle Sinje [a political organisation
with strong cultural leanings] is worried that for the past decade there has
been a growing, yet worrying trend of the erosion of the independence of the
judiciary and public confidence in the judiciary has been waning and we are
concerned about this. We are, as an organisation, very curious that of late government
is winning 100% of cases in matters brought against it. This is not a usual
occurrence.
We are asking ourselves the question, is the government
now so clean that they get 100% victory in cases. We are also wondering if the issue
could be qualification, experience and skills from some of the officers. We are
asking ourselves the question, are the cases properly allocated.
In the past the trend was that the government would come
out boldly to say they would not adhere to some judgments. You would have
citizens winning judgments cases or matters, but government would not comply.
In fact disturbing statements would be issued that there would be no
compliance. But now, what we see is a direct shift where government wins all
cases.
We cannot help but suspect that there could be challenges
somewhere. As an organisation we are in the process of looking at all this. As for
the case against The Nation magazine
and its editor,
Bheki Makhubu, we will meet and study the judgment and issue
a full statement. We will include a whole examining of the entire judicial
process.
See also
A TALE OF TWO SWAZI EDITORS
PUDEMO CONDEMNS EDITOR’S CONVICTION
ARTICLES THAT MIGHT GET EDITOR JAILED
SOUTH AFRICA EDITORS BACK MAKHUBU
HIGH COURT SUPPRESSES MEDIA FREEDOM
MISA: EDITOR’S CONVICTION ‘BRUTAL’
EDITOR’S CONTEMPT SENTENCE ‘SHOCKING’
EDITOR SET FOR TWO YEARS IN JAIL
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