People in Eswatini are facing troubled times as the King Mswati III regime has gagged freedom of speech to muffle Swazi demands for the democratic reform of Africas’ last absolute monarchy.
This poses legitimate concerns for not only basic human rights, but for journalists reporting transparently in an effort to maintain social and political justice.
One such Swazi journalist spoke to frayintermedia anonymously, saying he feared for his life.
“Soldiers are everywhere enforcing the curfew, over 40 people have been killed and 100 injured. The fear of having to pass through armed soldiers is just too much and for my own safety, I now operate remotely because the soldiers are starting to shoot,” he said.
Despite the government’s refusal to interact with the public and attempting to restrict the flow of information, online cries for help are being posted all over social media.
Swazis have been leading protests against King Mswati III and his monarchical system since May this year in an effort to bring about political change. The protests escalated rapidly after Saturday, June 26 when the King issued a decree through acting prime minister Themba Masuku which banned all protests as well as petitions calling for change.
In defiance, citizens began demanding democratic reforms. Security force response was violent including the use of live ammunition and the situation spiralled out of control.
Protestors are now preventing goods from coming into the country and hundreds of businesses have been looted and burned down.
A new movement called #KungahlwaKwenile has begun which is the name given to the campaign of defiance against the King.
However, the social media-driven campaign faces a major hurdle as the government has shut down all access to the internet.
On June 29, the Eswatini Communications Commission ordered MTN and other operators to cease access to social media and other online platforms, which resulted in a country-wide communications blackout.
“The freedom of expression has been greatly undermined by the shutting down of the internet, we can't communicate through email, WhatsApp and Facebook,” said the Swazi journalism source, “we use VPN to access the Internet now.”
Throughout the years, media freedom has generally been impeded in the monarchical state. Eswatini ranks 141 out of 179 countries on the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index.
The index outlines a situation of oppression that has existed for some time.
“Criticism of the monarchy is severely punished thanks to the existence of dozens of draconian laws under which reporters can be prosecuted. Harassment, intimidation and physical violence against journalists are all common and result in almost constant self-censorship,” it said.
Call for solidarity
Despite these obstacles, Human Rights Watch Southern Africa director Dewa Mavhinga, said his organisation is encouraging journalists to stand in solidarity and to continue reporting.
“In the context of internet shutdowns and disruption to social media, journalists can show solidarity with the people of Eswatini by seeking to establish the facts, highlighting the challenges and the violence against citizens by security forces and reporting as widely as possible on the crisis,” he said.
Allegations of torture
While calls for courageous reporting continue, authorities have resorted to extreme violence and even torture in an attempt at halting the uprising.
On Sunday, July 4, New Frame journalists Magnificent Mndebele and Cebelihle Mbuyisa faced such violence. A New Frame statement says they were detained, assaulted and tortured by security forces whilst on assignment in Eswatini to report on the pro-democracy protests and state murder of citizens.
This after Mndebele and Mbuyisa say they were threatened at roadblocks and forced to delete material from their phones and camera.
They even received a WhatsApp message from a source close to the royal family, warning them to “not make any movements”.
New Frame’s associate editor Monica Laganparsad applauded both journalists for their bravery and commitment in upholding the values of journalism.
“They have risked their personal safety to report on how the people of Eswatini are risking their lives to fight an oppressive state – and the price that has been paid for that resistance. Mndebele and Mbuyisa acted with courage and integrity and in the best traditions of journalism.”
International ripples
Meanwhile, an open letter from 20 organisations including the Committee to Protect Journalists has been delivered to King Mswati III.
The media freedom organisations are “urging him to guarantee the safety and security of journalists and media workers in the country.”
Pressure is also rising on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to pressurise King Mswati III. “South Africa and other international actors must push strongly for an all-inclusive political dialogue that focuses on much-needed constitutional reforms,” Mavhinga said.
Our source in Swaziland has also supported that call.
“We need AU, SADC, EU and Commonwealth to facilitate the dialogue. Conservatives, civil society and political parties must occupy the roundtable. The outcome should be a win-win, not winner-takes-all,” he said. - frayintermedia
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