Unknown gunmen in Eswatini killed Thulani Maseko, a well-known opposition politician and human rights lawyer at his home just hours after the country’s monarch challenged activists opposed to his rule.
Thuliani Maseko was shot dead in Luhleko, about 50km from the country’s capital, Mbabane.
The spokesman said he was told that “assassins shot him through the window while he was inside [the] house with his family”.
“Details are still scant (and), owing to the trauma his family members are undergoing, they are not yet ready to speak,” Dlamini added.
The government sent condolences to the family, saying Maseko’s death was a “loss for the nation” and that police were searching for the killers.
Who was Thulani Maseko?
Maseko was a columnist as well as a human rights lawyer in Eswatini who had a pending court trial with King Mswati III over the monarch’s decision to rename the country Eswatini by decree. In 2018, the country’s name was changed from Swaziland to Eswatini on the 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain.
Maseko had voiced opposition to the king’s decision arguing that he had not followed the constitutional guidelines. In 2014, he and the editor of The Nation magazine were jailed for contempt of court over articles critical of the government and judiciary.
Maseko also founded the MultiStakeholder Forum (MSF), a coalition of opposition parties, associations and churches.
Response to Thulani Maseko’s murder
The UN Human Rights Chief, Mr Turk issued a statement condemning Maseko’s murder.
“Thulani Maseko was a stalwart of human rights who, at great risk to himself, spoke up for many who couldn’t speak up for themselves,” he said.
“His cold-blooded killing has deprived Eswatini, Southern Africa and the world of a true champion and advocate for peace, democracy and human rights.”
Image Credit: The Associated Press
