Swazi cops take SA TV crew in for questioning

Two South African journalists, in Swaziland to cover pro-democracy protests, were detained after being stopped at a roadblock.

eNews Africa journalist Tumaole Mohlaoli and cameraman Meshack Dube were stopped yesterday shortly after they passed through the Oshoek border post.

They were apparently detained for not having accreditation to cover pro-democracy marches this week in Swaziland.

eNews Africa representative Andy Duffy said last night that the pair had been released and their equipment had been returned.

''They were ordered not to report anything out of Swaziland without a permit."

He said the two would remain in Swaziland pending the outcome of their accreditation application to cover events in Swaziland.

Earlier, the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) - a coalition of organisations inside Swaziland - condemned the detention of the two. "We demand freedom of expression and the right for journalists to freely cover the events in Swaziland, so that the world can know that the myth of a peaceful country, unquestioningly accepting royal autocracy in the name of Swazi culture, is a fallacy and lie," it said in a statement.

The SDC said the journalists were stopped at the Oshoek border post and escorted to Mbabane, where their equipment was confiscated. "The e.tv crew was on its way to report about the marches taking place in Swaziland to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the 1973 king's decree that ... enslaved and imprisoned Swazis."

The National Union of Metalworkers of SA said the arrest was an attempt by King Mswati's regime to hide popular revolts against his regime from the eyes of the world. - Additional reporting by Sapa