Gag order culprit must face treason charges - Logcogco

The National Director Vuyisile Hlatshwayo said MISA is also concerned that the state broadcaster does not allow a diversity of voices in local media and that is a cause for concern.

"We do not hear the diversity of voices in our local media except for the voices of influential people. The other sectors of society do not have access to the media, which is an infringement of their rights to freedom of expression and media freedom.

Our message is that Government should stop paying lip-service to the guarantees of the Constitution but respect the citizens’ right to freedom of expression and media freedom.

This also goes to show that there is a great need for the Swazi people to call for the transformation of the state broadcaster into a public service broadcaster, which is not a mouthpiece of the state but it must serve public interest," said Hlatshwayo.

Hlatshwayo said they know that freeing the airwaves is a process but MISA welcomes government’s move to table in Parliament the Swaziland Communications Commission Bill 2010 and Electronic Communications Bill 2010 meant to address information, communications and technology issues in the country.

"Our appeal to government is that those involved should speed up the process in order to allow pluralism in the country. MISA will be embarking on programmes meant at sensitising the public about their rights.

One of the measures is this Democracy publication, which is a country report on the state of media freedom. This year, MISA together with the Swa-ziland Press Club will push the agenda of media freedom and freedom of expression through the public debates.

We also have a Media Complaints Commission (MCC) to hear and determine complaints about the violations of their constitutional rights by the print media.

COMMENTS:

- I have written in these very newspaper to caution the public that the gagging order was equal to what I referred to as a "palace coup". Nobody took me seriously until Prince Logcogco, who's one of the few sensible princes left apart from Prince Masitsela, called the problem by its real name - a coup, though peaceful. I mentioned that this gag order was treasonous in nature because an acting Head of State was denied the opportunity to broadcast her thoughts of wisdom to her people on a matter which could've burned down the country if left unattended. Again no one took notice. This is a serious matter, and if the politician responsible is not brought to book urgently, it will far-reaching implications on the universality of the powers of our traditional authorities in Swazi society. Not only that, it will finally prove that government is for a constitutional monarch which has no executive powers, as ably demonstrated by the issuance of a despicable gag order against the highest echelons of traditional authority. If this does not constitute a very serious crime of ignorance (if not commission), then I don't know what will. If formal investigations into the matter are not underway already, I'd say it's too late,,,
August 25, 2012, 12:23 pm, Keep Exhaling (keep@yahoo.com)

- I thank God that someone has had the gumption to finally call the mishap of a gag order for what it is. A coup. I was getting worried about the continued silence of the traditional authorities on this matter, as if they were unaware of how serious it is. Whoever gave the gag order usurped the powers of the king and he did this in broad daylight. If the nation is denied the opportunity to hear the voice of their head of state in the public airwaves, then whose voice are we supposed to hear? The gov't spokesman's? The PM's? Who exactly? A serious offence has been committed here and we would like the law to take its full course. As a Swazi nation we cannot allow people to deduct value from our traditional authorities, because it is these institutions that bind this country together. Gov't on the other hand has been known to divide us apart. I applaud Prince Logcogco for coming out in the manner he did. We count on him to pursue this matter to finality where we expect retribution.
August 25, 2012, 12:23 pm, Prayerful Swazi (prayer@ycom)

- All I can say to the good prince is Amen. Hallelujah! As a traditionalist myself, I must say I was offended when TV Mtetwa and the great institution he represents was treated like a proscribed entity. My offence then quickly turned into anger when I realized that no one important was willing to stand up and say something against this serious travesty of tradition. Bekunene whether you're a traditionalist or progressive, Christian or heathen, male or female, what has happened through the gag order kungumhlolo. Even if one is obsessed with unlimited power, it's unheard of that one can put a gag on royal statements. We have been complaining in futility about these secret directives for the past 4 years. Only that we din't know that one day they will go as far as to affect the very heart of Swazi society, which is Ludzidzini. It's cowardice of the worst order for someone to secretly issue UNWRITTEN directives and then hide behind the perforated veil of cabinet. Let's stop playing with fire.
August 25, 2012, 12:24 pm, Wretched Heart (with@yahoo.com)

- It's encouraging to note that we still have courageous men like the prince who calls a spade a spade and not garden implement. We need men like him to stand up as often as possible in defence of our revered monarchy. There are too many vultures out there and most them unfortunately enjoy the ear of our traditional authorities. The real enemy is not the progressives or anything like that. Thank Prince Logcogco for saying something valuable, not that it will help change anything though. The people you're talking to are hard-headed but very clever, but they lack wisdom.
August 25, 2012, 12:26 am, Mnikelo ka Hhohho (mn@web)

- Well this all tells us one thing.... that the powers that be, do understand the gravity and undesirability of gagging the press. Otherwise, the truth is that we the people must not be quick to jump and take sides on this issue, because there are political battles being fought behind the scenes within the regime, and this is merely a political score for one faction. All that both factions are interested in is who carries the most authority and influence on issues of national interest. None has the genuine interest of the people at stake, where 'the people' is defined as ''that that lies beyond their stomachs''. change will come to Swaziland, but it must be driven by the people, in a spirit of genuine goodwill those that are led and those that lead.
August 25, 2012, 12:26 pm, James Lokotfwako (james.lokotfwako@gmail.com)