MBABANE:The eSwatini Government systematic intention to stall or block the Swaziland News from publishing news urgently by filing an application demanding seven(7) days before responding to questionnaires has been dismissed by the Mpumalanga High Court, Sunday World, a South African publication reported on Tuesday.
As a result,the interim order directing the editor to give the Government three(3) before responding also faded away after the entire application was dismissed with costs.
“This would have given the government the opportunity to stall news reporting, effectively imposing prior restraint on the media outlet”, Sunday World reported.
On another note,the editor vigorously opposed the application from the beginning after learning that,it was not in good faith but was meant to delay and frustrate the publication of news.
This was after the Government refused to respond but on the other hand, rushed to court pretending to be willing to respond but only when given seven(7) days.
The application that was filed by Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku on behalf of the King and his Government, was subsequently dismissed with costs and, the editor was represented by South African Senior Advocate Myron Dewrance.
King Mswati III, who took the throne in 1986, arrives in ceremonial dress for the annual reed dance. Photograph: Emmanuel Croset/AFP/Getty Images