Mbabane– The Eswatini National Association of Journalists (ESNAJ) has issued a strong condemnation of threats made against one of its members, Eswatini Observer journalist Bongiwe Dlamini.
In a press statement released on September 3, 2025, the association expressed “grave concern” over the threats, which are reported to have followed a story published in the Eswatini Observer. The article detailed the tragic drowning of a three-year-old child at the Cuddle Puddle on Sunday.
According to ESNAJ, the threats against Dlamini were allegedly made by the Director of Cuddle Puddle, Horst Sayler. The threats were reportedly captured during a telephonic interview with Swaziland News Editor, Zweli Martin Dlamini, and the conversation has since been published.
ESNAJ stated that such actions are not only an attack on the safety and dignity of an individual journalist but also constitute a “direct attack on press freedom, a cornerstone of democracy and accountability.” The association emphasized that “a threat against one journalist is a threat against the entire profession.”
The association has demanded an immediate and public apology from Sayler to Miss Dlamini, the Eswatini Observer, and the wider journalism community. ESNAJ warned that if an apology is not issued, it will be compelled to “pursue further action, including engaging the relevant legal and institutional channels to ensure that threats against journalists are not tolerated in our society.”
ESNAJ also commended Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini for his firm defense of press freedom and for publicizing the “unacceptable conduct.”
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