It is very disturbing to note that in less than a week after the world commemorated the Press Freedom Day, Melisa Msweli, a Times of eSwatini journalist was harassed by cops and forced to delete pictures during the secret funeral of pro-democracy police recruit Simhle Fakudze.
The Campaign for Free Expression, the Eswatini National Association of Journalists and other media organizations must write to the National Commissioner William Dlamini and demand an explanation regarding this harassment that undermines press freedom.
The conduct of the police to harass the journalist deprived the citizens access to information.
It is worth mentioning that journalists in eSwatini are harassed and intimidated almost everyday it’s just that we don’t prioritize our plight at the hands of this regime.
Even State journalists within the government owned media entities are threatened with dismissal,they were not given policies and allowed to work freely, obviously, in line with a clear editorial policy.
What happened at Hosea on Friday during the funeral of the Swazis First Democratic Front(SFDF) member was a clear attack on media freedom, police must know where to draw the line.
But in conclusion, let me warn these police officers that one day they will harass a journalist from a media entity that does not,in any way, tolerate nonsense.
This this might result to serious consequences to that police officer if identified.
Police rent at Simhle funeral.