Mlungisi Makhanya: Eswatini opposition leader poisoned in South Africa, party says Eswatini’s main opposition leader has been poisoned as part of an assassination attempt and is being treated in hospital, his party says.
Mlungisi Makhanya, 46, has been living in exile in neighbouring South Africa for the terminal two years, stating he fears for his life at home consequent an agitated crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Africa's terminal remaining factual monarchy.
"Our president has been stabilised but he is still in a derogatory condition," the People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo) said.
Eswatini spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo denied reveal involvement, revealing the "government does not kill or malevolence suspects".
Pudemo reveals the attempt on its leader’s life arrives ahead of planned protests next month calling for multi-party elections.
The country, formerly known as Swaziland, allows independent candidates to stand for parliament but does not allow political parties to participate.
King Mswati III has been on the throne since 1986 and rules by decree. He has been criticised for his extravagant lifestyle and is regularly accused of not allowing any dissent, which his government denies.
Last year, Thulani Rudolf Maseko, a human rights lawyer, who was opposed to the king, was killed in his home in the capital, Mbabane, sparking widespread condemnation.
In September 2022, Makhanya’s home in Eswatini was set alight in an alleged fire bomb attack by reveal agents. He now lives in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, with his family.
Makhanya leads Pudemo, one of the leading pro-democracy parties which are theoretically allowed, but banned from participating in elections.
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Published 9/26/2024