29 September 2008

Alert

Newspaper targeted in alleged bombing plot over its pro-government stance


Incident details

newspaper(s)

threatened
(MISA/IFEX) - Swazi police have unearthed a plot to bomb the state-owned "Swazi Observer" newspaper. The development comes in the wake of the arrest of a suspect who survived what the police call a "terrorist" act in which two other men were killed when a bomb exploded prematurely during an attempt to bomb an overhead bridge on 20 September 2008 near King Mswati's palace at Lozitha, outside Mbabane, the capital city.

Police claim the man, Amos Mdedzi, a South African from Limpopo, confessed before a magistrate that he and his friends were on a mission to bomb government structures, including the "Swazi Observer" newspaper offices in Mbabane.

According to police, the man said they failed to gain entry into the targeted areas because of tight security. They then consoled themselves by bombing the overhead bridge, an attempt which also failed as the bomb went off prematurely, killing two and injuring the survivor.

The "Swazi Observer", it was claimed, was targeted because it was a pro-government media.

"Swazi Observer" CEO Myzo Magagula was quoted in the local media as having expressed shock at the act, but said they were not aware that they were targeted for bombing.



Source:

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