Eswatini: Prominent Human Rights lawyer shot dead after King Mswati warning to democracy crusaders

A prominent human rights lawyer in Eswatini [formerly Swaziland] has been shot dead.

Thulani Maseko, chairperson of the MultiStakeholder Forum (MSF) was killed at his home in Luyengo, south of the capital, yesterday evening.

Eswatini, which is ruled by King Mswati III is Africa's last absolute monarchy. Mswati was crowned king on April 25, 1986 at just 18 years.

Since July 2021, there has been clamour for democracy as about 60% of the country’s 1.2 million people wallow in poverty. Meanwhile, the king and his 15 wives and 36 children enjoy stupendous wealth. 

The clamour for democracy has been met with brutal force from the security agencies. Early this month, King Mswati said those calling for democratic reforms while burning properties are “directly attacking him.”

International NGO’s Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the crackdown, describing them as a "full-frontal assault on human rights".

“He fought for justice and paid a personal price,” Arnold Tsunga mourns the late lawyer. “ They arbitrarily detained him and sent him to jail for 2 years. Upon release he continued fighting for human rights and rule of law. They have now mercilessly killed him tonight in front of his family.”