MISA-Swaziland | Media AlertAugust 26 2014 Swaziland minister for information, communication and technology Dumisani Ndlangamandla said the national TV and radio stations are primarily there to serve the interests of the state, reported daily newspaper Times of Swaziland last week. The national television station, Swazi TV, and the national radio station, SBIS, are both controlled byContinue reading “Swazi govt maintains tight grip on national broadcasters”
Tag Archives: Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi
Continued incarceration for respected journalist and lawyer
MISA-Swaziland | Alert April 15 2014 Another week in jail for journalist Bheki Makhubu and human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko. High Court judge Mpendulo Simelane refuses to remove himself from the case. Defence lawyers argued that Simelane cannot be objective because he is a subject of criticism in the opinion articles that have landed Makhubu and Maseko inContinue reading “Continued incarceration for respected journalist and lawyer”
‘Stop treating us like children’ – lawyer dresses down judge in Swaziland’s high court
MISA-Swaziland | Alert April 11 2014 A prominent human rights lawyer in Swaziland, who is currently detained behind bars for writing an opinion piece questioning the independence of the country’s judiciary, dressed down a high court judge yesterday, telling the judge to stop treating him like a child. “We have lawyers, why can’t you takeContinue reading “‘Stop treating us like children’ – lawyer dresses down judge in Swaziland’s high court”
‘Accused persons, stand up accused persons’ – Swazi judge orders more detention for journalist and human rights lawyer
MISA-Swaziland | Alert March 28 2014 “Accused persons, stand up accused persons. You will further remain in custody until April 9th.” These were the parting words of Swaziland high court judge Mpendulo Simelane as he ordered journalist Bheki Makhubu and prominent human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko back into detention for another seven days. Before the hearingContinue reading “‘Accused persons, stand up accused persons’ – Swazi judge orders more detention for journalist and human rights lawyer”
STATEMENT: MISA condemns arrest of Swazi lawyer and journalist
MISA-Regional | Statement March 19 2014 19 MARCH 2014, WINDHOEK NAMIBIA – The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) condemns the arrest, detention and unconstitutional closed hearing of prominent human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko and Nation magazine editor, Bheki Makhubu in Swaziland. Maseko, a senior member of Lawyers for Human Rights Swaziland, was arrested in his law firmContinue reading “STATEMENT: MISA condemns arrest of Swazi lawyer and journalist”
‘No evidence at all that the applicant is a flight risk’ – Bhantshana gets bail
MISA-Swaziland | Alert January 24 2014 “This court has a Constitutional duty to dispense justice without fear or favour … Justice must not only be done, it must also be seen to be done.” These are the words of High Court Judge Bheki Maphalala as he granted bail to Swaziland’s chief government vehicle inspector BhantshanaContinue reading “‘No evidence at all that the applicant is a flight risk’ – Bhantshana gets bail”
Editor lodges appeal against conviction
MISA-Swaziland Alert-update 23 April 2013 Bheki Makhubu, editor of The Nation magazine, has lodged an appeal against his conviction and sentence. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) understands the appeal went through late Monday (22 April) and was in time to beat today’s deadline of paying a US$21,500 fine or face two years in prison. TheContinue reading “Editor lodges appeal against conviction”
Support pours in for editor threatened with jail
MISA-Swaziland Alert-update 22 April 2013 Support continues to pour in for Bheki Makhubu, an editor in Swaziland who was recently threatened with a two-year jail term for “scandalising the court”. Makhubu was ordered to pay Emlangeni E200,000 (approximately US$21,500) or face two years in prison by Justice Bheki Maphalala last Wednesday, 17 April 2013. MakhubuContinue reading “Support pours in for editor threatened with jail”
Wave of support for embattled Swazi editor
MISA-Swaziland Analysis 22 April 2013 The Media Institute of Southern Africa in Swaziland (MISA-Swaziland), a press freedom NGO, is encouraged by the number of voices supporting embattled editor Bheki Makhubu, who last week was told by the high court to pay E200,000 ($US21,000) within three days or else go to jail for two years. Makhubu,Continue reading “Wave of support for embattled Swazi editor”
Editors’ forum condemns possible 2-year jail term for scribe
MISA-Swaziland Alert-update 18 April 2013 The Southern African Editors’ Forum (SAEF) has condemned a possible two-year jail term or US$20,000 fine imposed on Bheki Makhubu, an editor, by the courts in Swaziland. Makhubu edits one of Swaziland’s few independent sources of news, The Nation magazine, published by Swaziland Independent Publishers. The magazine was found guilty of “contemptContinue reading “Editors’ forum condemns possible 2-year jail term for scribe”
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