The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Yesterday condemned threats by a Swazi prince who warned that reporters would die if they were critical of Africa’s last monarchy.
“Journalists who continue to write bad things about the country will die,” said Prince Mahlaba, brother of Swazi King Mswati III.
“I want to warn the media to bury things that have the potential of undermining the country,” he told a public gathering last week, according to the press group.
“It’s a fact that journalists earn their living by writing lies and if they do not write the lies then their source of livelihood is threatened and this is fact and beyond debate,” he added.
The small kingdom bordered by South Africa and Mozambique has limited press freedom under the iron-fisted rule of Mswati.
Journalists are not allowed to criticise the country’s political system, which outlaws political parties.
“The government of Swaziland must immediately reject the death threats against journalists by a leading member of the ruling family,” CPJ Africa campaigner Mohamed Keita in a statement.
Swaziland’s royal household, including the king and his 13 wives, are known for their extravagant lives while the rest of the population live largely in poverty, ravaged by Aids.
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