Mlungisi Makhanya, the leader of Eswatini’s main opposition party, has been poisoned in an apparent assassination attempt while in exile in South Africa. His party, Pudemo, announced that he is in critical but stable condition following the incident, which takes place ahead of planned protests for multi-party elections in Eswatini. The government denies involvement in the attack, while international and regional organizations condemn it as a political assault. The incident highlights the ongoing struggle for democracy against a backdrop of government oppression.
Mlungisi Makhanya, the prominent leader of Eswatini’s main opposition party, the People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), has been reportedly poisoned in a suspected assassination attempt while residing in exile in South Africa. The 46-year-old leader, who has lived in South Africa for two years due to fears for his safety following a severe government crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Eswatini, is currently receiving treatment in a Pretoria hospital where his condition is described as critical but stable. Makhanya’s party announced that he was stabilized, but the situation remains serious. The incident is considered especially alarming as it precedes planned protests advocating for multi-party elections in Eswatini, a country that does not permit political parties to participate in elections despite allowing independent candidates to run. The oppressive political climate is characterized by King Mswati III’s absolute rule, which has persisted since 1986, sparking allegations of extravagant lifestyle choices and suppression of dissent. Eswatini government spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo publicly denied any state involvement, stating unequivocally that the government does not engage in acts of violence or poisoning against individuals. In a shocking revelation, reports suggest that Makhanya was poisoned by an unnamed assailant described by Pudemo as a tool of malevolent intent acting on behalf of the Swazi government. Prior to this event, Makhanya’s residence in Eswatini was targeted in an arson attack attributed to state agents, emphasizing the dangers faced by opposition figures. The Pudemo deputy president, Wandile Dludlu, characterized the poison used in the attack as “extremely dangerous and fatal,” affirming that the incident constituted an assassination attempt. Meanwhile, the Eswatini government reiterated its stance of professionalism by declaring that law enforcement is committed to apprehending suspects alive, resisting allegations of murderous intent. International and regional organizations, such as the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), have condemned the incident as an egregious attack on political activists, urging the South African government to take measures against what they perceive to be Swazi state agents threatening the lives of pro-democracy advocates. Meanwhile, opposition parties in Eswatini have accused the ruling security apparatus of perpetrating violence against demonstrators, citing previous protests in 2021 where numerous individuals lost their lives during confrontations with security forces, although the government disputes these claims. Makhanya’s party has called for global awareness and assistance to secure the leader’s safety as he continues to recover in hospital. They vowed to proceed with their planned protests despite the ongoing threats, framing the situation in Eswatini as an ongoing struggle between a repressive monarchy and its citizens demanding democratic reforms.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, represents one of the last absolute monarchies in Africa. King Mswati III has ruled with an iron fist since 1986, and during his reign, political dissent has been met with severe repercussions, including violence against pro-democracy activists. The People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo) has emerged as a significant political force advocating for democratic reforms; however, political parties are not officially permitted to participate in the electoral process. Historically, dissenters have faced extreme violence, including the 2021 protests in which numerous demonstrators reportedly lost their lives. Mlungisi Makhanya’s poisoning incident has intensified the political turmoil and spotlighted the ongoing struggle for democracy in the nation.
The attempted poisoning of Mlungisi Makhanya underscores the perilous situation faced by opposition leaders in Eswatini, particularly in light of the broader context of political repression and government violence against dissent. As Makhanya continues to recover, his party advocates for international support to safeguard the safety of its leaders and continue the push for democracy. The turbulence encapsulated by this incident raises critical questions about governmental accountability and human rights within Eswatini as activists assert their right to protest and demand a fair political process.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
