Eswatini: Nomthantazo Maseko Assaulted, Threatened By Prison Officers While Reporting Live On Protest By Pro-Democracy Activists
Location: Eswatini, Matasapha
Date: February 9, 2022
Photo Credit: Siphesihle Maseko
Nomthantazo Maseko, a reporter for privately-owned outlet Swati Newsweek was physically assaulted by about 20 prison officials while covering a pro-democracy outside a prison in Matsapha town, located near the capital Mbabane. Correctional services officers pulled her out of her car, viciously beat her and threatened her with a firearm. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) strongly condemns the brutal assault by prison officials and demands action against those responsible.
Nomthantazo, 25, was reporting live for independent news outlet, Swati Newsweek Online, and filming a protest by members of Swaziland Liberation Movement (Swalimo) activist group at the local prison, where two pro-democracy members of parliament are being held since their arrest on July 25, 2021.
According to a report published by Swati Newseek Online, Nomthantazo said that after officials asked the people present outside the prison to leave, she went to her car parked nearby. But, the journalist added, prison officials ordered her out of her car and then physically pulled her out. “They took me behind an abandoned house all the while beating me along the way. I was ordered to lie down and also ordered to run while they continued bashing me using a whole lot of things.”
Nomthantazo added that one of the officers kicking and beating her also brandished a gun at her and threatened to shoot her. News reports cited eye witnesses confirming that the journalist was attacked by around 20 officials.
After being subjected to assault by the prison officers, Nomthantazo was reportedly denied treatment at the state-run hospital, which insisted that she first submit a police report. The severely bruised journalist had to find a second hospital to tend to her wounds.
“She is severely injured, she has bruises all over her body. The doctor said she needs to go for an X-ray test because her right arm is swollen and she is unable to move it,” Nomthantazo's sister Siphesihle Maseko told local media.
Swati Newsweek Online editor Eugene Dube condemned the assault on Nomthantazo and demand to see a police report before giving required medical attention. “Demanding a police report before treatment, was very painful as we say life is very important . Maseko was later transferred to another hospital in Eswatini,” said Dube.
According to the news outlet, after the assault Nomthantazo was ordered into a stranger’s car and correctional officers told the stranger to take the journalist and dump her anywhere.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the physical assault on Nomthantazo Maseko. We extend solidarity to the journalist and call on the Eswatini authorities to take immediate action against the prison officials responsible. Journalists must be able to report freely on matters of public interest. Impunity for violations against women journalists only enables further abuse of journalists and decreases the space for independent reporting. We demand better protection of journalists in Eswatini and call for an environment conducive to independent journalism.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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