Mlungisi Makhanya, a leading opposition figure in Eswatini, was poisoned in South Africa in what is being characterized as an assassination attempt. He is hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The Eswatini government has denied involvement, while Makhanya’s party, Pudemo, appeals for international support amid ongoing calls for political reform and upcoming protests.
Mlungisi Makhanya, the prominent leader of Eswatini’s main opposition party, has reportedly been poisoned in what his party describes as an assassination attempt. Makhanya, who is 46 years old, has been living in exile in South Africa for the past two years due to concerns for his safety following a violent crackdown on pro-democracy activists within the nation, regarded as Africa’s last absolute monarchy. The People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo) announced that while Makhanya’s condition has stabilized, he remains critical. In reaction to the incident, Eswatini government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo denied any state involvement, asserting that the government does not engage in violent acts against individuals. The poisoning incident comes shortly before planned protests aimed at advocating for multi-party elections, amid a political environment where only independent candidates can run for parliament, while organized political party participation is limited. King Mswati III, who has reigned since 1986, has faced criticism for restricting dissent and leading an extravagant lifestyle. Makhanya was allegedly poisoned early one morning in his home in Pretoria by an unknown individual described as a “young boy,” who Pudemo claims to be an agent acting on behalf of the Swazi government. Following the incident, Makhanya was transported to a hospital and subsequently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in critical but stable condition. Reports indicate that he informed authorities about being poisoned and robbed. Wandile Dludlu, Pudemo’s deputy president, remarked that an extremely dangerous pesticide was used in the poisoning, emphasizing that it was indeed an assassination attempt. This assertion has been staunchly refuted by the Eswatini government, which maintains that law enforcement operates under strict ethical standards aimed at apprehending suspects alive. The Pudemo party has called for international support to safeguard Makhanya and his family during his hospital stay. The Swaziland Solidarity Network, an organization of Swazis residing in South Africa, also condemned the incident as a blatant assassination attempt and urged the South African government to intervene against agents allegedly targeting exiled pro-democracy advocates. Historically, opposition parties in Eswatini have accused security forces of perpetrating violence against protesters and have raised concerns about the political system that has allegedly resulted in a lack of developmental progress. Student-led uprisings in 2021 over police brutality led to heightened demands for political reform, amidst reports from Human Rights Watch citing at least 46 fatalities during clashes with security forces. The government has contested these claims, asserting that their actions were responses to violence. In this ongoing struggle, Dludlu pledged that Pudemo would proceed with the scheduled protests, framing the situation as a critical contention between the repressed populace and the traditional monarchical authority.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, operates as an absolute monarchy, which has led to widespread discontent among citizens advocating for democratic reforms. The country has a contentious political landscape characterized by severe limitations on political party systems and persistent crackdowns on dissent, especially targeting pro-democracy activists. The arrest and alleged assassination attempts on political figures like Mlungisi Makhanya reflect the increasing risks associated with opposing the current regime of King Mswati III, who has ruled since 1986. Following violent protests and human rights violations reported in previous years, the current situation highlights the continuing fight for rights and representation among the Eswatini populace.
The recent poisoning of Mlungisi Makhanya underscores the perilous environment for opposition leaders in Eswatini, particularly in the context of amplified calls for democratic reforms. The denial of state involvement by the Eswatini government stands in stark contrast to accusations of targeted violence against dissenters. As Makhanya’s situation continues to develop, the Pudemo party’s determination to forge ahead with protests illustrates the ongoing struggle for democracy in a nation still dominated by autocratic rule. The international community’s response may play a crucial role in both the safety of opposition figures and the atmosphere of political discourse within Eswatini.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
