The government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has strongly denied the allegations levelled against King Mswati III concerning the killing of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko. The 52-year-old lawyer was shot dead in his home on the evening of January 21, 2023.
According to reports from Swaziland News, Maseko’s death occurred shortly after King Mswati III issued a warning to those advocating for democracy, stating that his mercenaries would deal with them. Maseko was known for his activism and outspoken criticism of the Eswatini government. In 2014, he faced a two-year prison sentence alongside Bheki Makhubu, the editor of The Nation news magazine, for contempt of court due to articles that were critical of the government and judiciary. Human rights organizations, both within and outside of Eswatini, have expressed suspicions that the King may have had a hand in Maseko’s untimely demise.
In response to these allegations, the government of Eswatini has released a statement, which was seen by Pindula News, threatening decisive action against individuals and human rights organizations making such claims. Read the statement:
GOVERNMENT STATEMENT MALICIOUS CAMPAIGNS TO TARNISH HIS MAJESTY AND THE COUNTRY’S IMAGE
Government notes the ongoing slander against the King and Ingwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini, His Majesty King Mswati III, by certain individuals and human rights organisations who have continued to make unfounded allegations that His Majesty is involved in the killing of human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko.
Government also notes with disappointment the glaring disparity and selective advocacy for human rights. When Chief Mahloma was brutally murdered by the so-called ‘solidarity forces’ in November 2022, no one amongst international organisations and human rights advocates advocated for the Chief or even condemned his killing. Likewise, the Police who were at work manning traffic and two warders were killed with no condemnation of this barbaric act of killing innocent lives by international and human rights organisations. We, therefore, take exceptional view to commentary by these biased so-called human rights watchers.
To this end, Government wishes to take this opportunity to caution these individuals and human rights organisations to desist from their malicious campaigns to tarnish the name and reputation of His Majesty the King. Decisive action will be taken against these people and the relevant institutions shall be approached in order for this matter to be addressed once and for all.
In the same vein, Government has taken note of what appears to be a campaign by the leadership of the Federation of the Eswatini Business Community (FESBC) to bring discord and confusion within the business community. As such, Government invited FESBC to a meeting held at the Private and Cabinet Offices on Tuesday, 02 January 2024, where they presented their objectives and modus operandi as an organisation. FESBC was advised to focus on their business objectives, which are basically to empower local businesses.
FESBC was strongly advised to desist from confrontation with other businesses but to seek peaceful redress through relevant institutions and following laid down procedure. The business federation was sternly warned to disassociate itself from violent proscribed institutions.
Government made it clear to FESBC that elements that potentially threaten investors, peace, and destabilise the country and negatively impact on the economy will not be tolerated. Government is ready and prepared to take stern measures. FESBC agreed that they will work with Government in this regard and allayed any fears that they are part of proscribed entities.
I would like to urge the Nation, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, to continue to stand up and fight against any elements that seek to disturb the country’s hard-earned peace and stability.
H.E RUSSELL MMISO DLAMINI
Prime Minister