Eswatini: Justice For Killing Of Human Rights Lawyer

In 2014, Thulani Maseko was sentenced to two years in prison, alongside veteran news editor Bhekithemba Makhubu, for contempt of court after publicly criticizing what they perceived as the judiciary’s lack of independence and integrity. Amnesty International had declared him a Prisoner of Conscience.

Thulani Maseko’s killing follows a spate of attacks on opposition leaders and pro-democracy activists, all of whom have been challenging the monarch and demanding political reform in the country since May 2021, including through nationwide protests. In response to the demonstrations, the government launched a brutal crackdown on human rights activism. Some politicians have been jailed merely for being suspected of joining calls for political reform.

Penuel and Xolile Malinga have been attacked three times in the last year only. Penuel is the National Organizer of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), the biggest political party in Eswatini. His wife Xolile Dlamini-Malinga is the President of the same party’s Women’s league. In April 2022, Penuel and Xolile Malinga’s home was reportedly petrol bombed by suspected state agents. In October 2022, 4 armed men invaded their home and fired over 48 bullets inside the bedroom and went on to burn the family car. The last attack was in January 2023, in which 35 bullets were fired into their bedroom by unknown people.

Maxwell Nkambule survived an assassination attempt in December 2022 after he was shot at while in his car. He opened a case at the police station and they never followed up with an investigation. Muzi Mmema was not as fortunate. He was abducted from his home on the night of 27 December 2022 and was found dead the following day several kilometres from his home with two bullet wounds on this chest.