Swaziland / Criminal contempt case against editor struck off High Court roll
MBABANE, Swaziland, April 30, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On 21 April 2010, a criminal contempt of court case against Nation magazine Editor, Bheki Makhubu, was struck off the High Court roll after the Attorney General, who is prosecuting, said he was not ready to argue it.
The case will now be reinstated once the AG indicates that he was ready to argue it. High Court judge, Bheki Maphalala, was told that the AG would not be available in the next few days since he was busy with cases of the Supreme Court.
Judge Maphalala observed that this was an important constitutional case which has the potential to hinder the rights of the press.
“It is very important that you argue this case,” the judge told both parties, before referring the case to the Registrar of the High Court to allocate it another date.
Makhubu has instructed a South African advocate, Gilbert Marcus, to represent him in the case.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Swaziland Chapter is working closely with Makhubu to successfully defend the case in the interest of freedom of the press.
SOURCE
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
