Managing Editor Martin Dlamini and reporter Nhlanhla Mathunjwa, whom he claims wrote badly about him. This followed a story published by the Times of February 27, 2007, in which the pastor was said to have been involved a squabble over a church vehicle with one of his subordinate pastors. Pastor Dlamini claimed the story lowered his dignity and said he has prayed to God to remove the two journalists from the face of the earth “to teach the media a lesson”. He said this would also be a lesson to other journalists not to write ‘badly’ about church ministers. The pastor’s threats have received widespread condemnation from the church and the Cabinet Ministers who were present during the sermon. The Times newspaper also ran a front-page editorial on March 5, 2007, condemning the pastor’s threats. Times Managing Editor Martin Dlamini said in a separate interview that he was not scared of the threats as he also believed in God and that God will protect him. • ALERT Date: February 28, 2007 Persons: Swazi Observer Violation: Censored The semi-private newspaper, the Swazi Observer, has been sued for E1 million (approx. US $143 000) by a Member of Parliament for alleged defamation. In court papers the MP, Maqhawe Mavuso, has claimed that the newspaper defamed him by publishing a story to the effect that he assaulted an ex Clerk to Parliament, Ben Zwane, when this never happened. He said the context of the article, published on June 4, 2005, was wrongful and defamatory of him in that it was intended and was understood by readers of the newspaper to suggest that he had no respect for authority, was unethical, unprincipled and had no appreciation to follow laid down procedures and regulations. Mavuso further alleges that as a result of the defamation, his dignity had been damaged and alleges to have suffered damages in the amount of E1 million. In defence, the Observer denies that the article was wrongful and defamatory of Mavuso. The newspaper further states that the publication of the article did not lower Mavuso in the estimation of right thinking members of society. “The article was published on a privileged occasion by the defendant in discharge of its duty to inform the public of newsworthy events, characters and conduct of a political nature, which has a corresponding duty to receive or be informed of such newsworthy items,” the newspaper states. It further claims that it took reasonable steps to verify information by seeking comment from Mavuso who neither denied nor confirmed the allegations despite the fact that he and the then Clerk to Parliament had met the Speaker to resolve their dispute. The newspaper said its evaluation of the facts and the response from the parties who commented, justified the publication of the article. The tone of the article, the Observer argues, was moderate and they were neither reckless nor negligent. • ALERT Date: February 23, 2007 Persons: Media in Swaziland Violation: Censored On February 23 2007, one of King Mswati III’s right-hand men heavily censored the media during a press conference which the King gave on his return from a European trip. This latest incident comes in the wake of several appeals by MISA Swaziland, to Swazi traditional authorities to desist from attempts to censor and intimidate journalists. On February 23, 2007, Bheki Dlamini, the Chief Executive Officer in the King’s office, barred journalists from asking the King any questions relating to a recently-formed Swaziland Police So This Is Democracy? 2007 -97- Media Institute of Southern Africa