OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 7.00pm.
THE editor of the independent Times of Swaziland, Bheki Makhuba, appeared in court on Monday on charges of defamation after writing an article about the Swazi King’s new fiance.
Makhuba was not asked to plead and was released on bail of about $500, said a spokeswoman of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa).
Makhuba’s bail conditions stipulate that he has to surrender his passport to the authorities, report to police once every fortnight, and is prohibited from publishing anything related to King Mswati’s bride-to-be.
Makhuba is scheduled to appear in court next Monday.
Makhuba was arrested following a story published on September 12, which said that Mswati’s latest bride, who was chosen at a recent Reed Dance ceremony, was a high school dropout.
Soon after publication of the story, Makhuba was forced to resign from his post, said the spokeswoman.
“There has been a debate over whether or not the newspaper should have published the story. Many see it as being extremely disrespectful towards the Swazi royal family and that it is a serious breach of tradition,” the spokeswoman explained.
According to Misa, the Swazi government is in the process of drafting legislation that will see tougher laws on defamation of character.
“Media groups in Swaziland are opposed to the proposed law and have said that they want some kind of consultation on the issue before it becomes law,” the spokeswoman added. — IRIN