RADIO SHOW SLAMS KING MSWATI

Here’s something that would never be allowed to be broadcast in Swaziland – a discussion about the Swazi monarchy and in particular, King Mswati III.

On South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 this morning (14 April 2011) phone-in host, Redi Tlhabi interviewed Dr Sylvester Maphosa, chief researcher at the Africa Institute of South Africa, about the reasons for the present protests in Swaziland.

Maphosa spoke about King Mswati, his lavish lifestyle, his dictatorial stance with his subjects and the undemocratic nature of the governance in the kingdom.

He concluded that in Swaziland, the monarchy is stealing from its own people.

Here is an extended extract from the show.

NO MEDIA FREEDOM IN SWAZILAND

Nastasya Tay, the Eyewitness News reporter detained by Swaziland police during the protests yesterday (12 April 2011) and escorted out of Manzini, has been speaking about media freedom in the kingdom.

Lutfo Dlamini, the Swazi Foreign Minister, had told South African journalists that the media in Swaziland were free to report anything they liked.

Not so, says Tay, who went on to say that people in Swaziland were too scared of the authorities to speak to the media.

She was interviewed on South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 on the Mid Day Report at 12 noon (10.00 GMT)

DA SILVA BACK ON THE AIRWAVES

Mary Pais Da Silva, Coordinator of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign, who was arrested yesterday (12 April 2011) while in the middle of a telephone interview with a journalist at South Africa’s Talk Radio 702, was back on air today to talk about what happened next.

She also spoke about how the violence meted out against protestors by Swazi police only made them more determined.

Here is her interview today (13 April 2011) on Mid Day Report at 12 noon (10.00 GMT).

See also

DA SILVA DEFIANT AFTER ARREST

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2011/04/da-silva-defiant-after-arrest.html

SWAZI POLICE ATTACKING TEACHERS

Swaziland police are rounding up teachers and their union leaders today (13 April 2011) in Manzini.

Foreign journalists continue to harass and more protests are expected this afternoon.

This report is from Eyewitness News on South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 at noon today (10.00 GMT).

US EMBASSY SLAMS SWAZILAND GVT

The US Embassy in Swaziland has slammed the Swazi Government and asked it to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

This report from Eyewitness News on South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 at 10am (08.00 GMT) today (13 April 2011) says Manzini is still quiet, although there are police on every corner.

Protestors say they will demonstrate again today.