Eugene Dube, the Swaziland
journalist who was forced to flee the after he published articles critical of
absolute monarch King Mswati III, has been honoured by a global media freedom
group.
Reporters Without Borders
(RWB) named him one of 30 coronavirus ‘information heroes’
who it described as ‘whistleblowers and media outlets whose courage,
perseverance or capacity to innovate has helped to circulate reliable and vital
information during the Covid-19 pandemic.’
Explaining its decision RWB said, ‘After Covid-19
reached eSwatini (the former Swaziland), the authorities warned journalists
that criticism of King Mswati would be treated as “high treason,” which is
punishable by death. When Swati Newsweek website editor Eugene Dube nonetheless
published an article criticizing the kingdom’s handling of the health crisis,
the authorities raided his home and subjected him to such a lengthy,
heavy-handed interrogation that he fled to neighbouring South Africa.’
 |
| Eugene Dube |
Dube told how he was forced to hide out in a forest
for five days as he tried to escape over the border into South Africa. He is
now in hiding there.
In May 2020, writing
on Swati Newsweek he said, ‘‘The
Swaziland police turned my home into a war zone, fighting a journalist armed
with only a pen. They came four times armed with guns within a month. I had to
sleep in a forest after I was assaulted by police during their first arrival.
This was during their allegedly “lawful raid”. I was subjected to extreme
harassment; hence fleeing was the only remedy.
‘I had no food, no shelter
in the forest where I was hiding. I had to sleep in the forest in fear of
police’s continued torture and arrest. Cops were coming to my home every now
and then. If I had committed a crime, they were free to charge me instead of
harassment.’
Dube said Police
Superintendent Clement Sihlongonyane based in Mbabane Police Headquarters told
him ‘When we come back to you Eugene, we will leave you reeling in a pool of
blood. Stop criticizing the king.’
Dube spent more than five
days hiding in the forest. ‘The first two days I had a loaf of bread. I was
alerted that police were in my home while I had gone to buy bread. Hence I ended
up with the loaf of bread in hiding in the forest.’ He later managed to get
more bread.
Police have
already charged Ncamiso Ngcamphalala, the Economic Freedom Fighters of
Swaziland President, with treason after he was quoted in
a report on Swati Newsweek
saying, ‘We want government to change people’s lives, the Swazi Monarchy must
know its place. We respect the King, but respect is earned and when pushed into
a corner; we will be forced to retaliate. We unapologetically stand for
multi-party democracy.’
Ngcamphalala is out on bail
awaiting trial.
See also
Swaziland
journalist critical of King flees, hides in forest five days
‘No
media freedom’ in Swaziland, Reporters Without Borders annual report states
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