South Africa must speak out about attacks on its journalists in Eswatini

The violence and thuggery of the security forces in Eswatini is outrageous, and on that basis alone the South African government should have intervened. The level of violence was starkly illustrated in a recent Daily Maverick article. Is there a proportional level of concern, outrage, and engagement from our government? It doesn’t seem so. 

For nearly two weeks, South Africa’s media, to their credit, have been reporting on the increasing level of violence in Eswatini and we have seen journalists threatened, detained and tortured. The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has issued strong statements and media houses have highlighted the violence against journalists, as well as the escalating situation. 

Sanef tweeted that at least two newsrooms, SABC and Newzroom Afrika, have had to withdraw their journalists from Eswatini because of the ongoing attacks and intimidation against them. 

The issue has been picked up by regional and international bodies including Misa and the Committee for the Protection of Journalists. So, we have clear evidence not only of the most egregious treatment of its own citizens, but also clear violations of the rights of South African media organisations and journalists. 

We might understand the reluctance to respond stridently to an internal situation where diplomacy calls for sides to engage peacefully, but to say nothing when our own citizens are violated and assaulted is shameful and a clear abrogation of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (Dirco’s) constitutional and regional duties and responsibilities.

To date, the most recent press release on the violence in Eswatini we can find on Dirco’s website says this, and it’s worth quoting in full just to demonstrate how spectacularly inadequate it is:

“Media Statement, 01 July 2021

Ongoing political and security situation in the Kingdom of eSwatini

The South African Government notes with great concern the ongoing political and security situation in the Kingdom of eSwatini.

We are particularly concerned by reports of loss of life and destruction of properties.

The right to peaceful protest is universally recognised.

The South African Government calls on the security forces to exercise total restraint and protect the lives and property of the people, in keeping with the country’s constitutional provisions and laws.

In addition, South Africa urges all political actors and civil society to engage in meaningful dialogue in order to resolve the current political challenges facing the country.” 

“The United Nations considers cutting off users from Internet access, regardless of the justification provided, including on the grounds of violating intellectual property rights law, to be disproportionate and thus a violation of Article 19, Paragraph 3, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also calls upon all States to ensure that Internet access is maintained at all times, including during times of political unrest.”