18 April 2013
The Southern African Editors’ Forum (SAEF) has condemned a possible two-year jail term or US$20,000 fine imposed on Bheki Makhubu, an editor, by the courts in Swaziland.
Makhubu edits one of Swaziland’s few independent sources of news,
The Nation magazine, published by Swaziland Independent Publishers. The magazine was found guilty of “contempt by scandalizing the court” following its publication of two articles in 2009 and 2010 that criticised Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi.
On Wednesday, 17 April 2013,
The Nation was ordered
by Judge Bheki Maphalala to pay Emlangeni E200,000 (approximately US$20,000) within three days. If payment is not made, and an appeal by the magazine is dismissed, Makhubu will face two years in jail.