Eswatini Opposition Leader Poisoned in South Africa Amid Assassination Attempt, Party Claims

Mlungisi Makhanya, the main opposition leader from Eswatini, has been poisoned in what his party, the People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), describes as an assassination attempt. Makhanya, who has been living in exile in South Africa for the past two years, is currently in critical condition but has been stabilized in a Pretoria hospital, according to Pudemo. The 46-year-old opposition leader has been in exile following fears for his life after the Eswatini government’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists in the country. Eswatini, the last absolute monarchy in Africa, has been criticized for suppressing dissent and denying political freedoms under the rule of King Mswati III. Makhanya was reportedly poisoned inside his home in Pretoria early Tuesday morning by a "young boy" allegedly acting on behalf of agents linked to the Eswatini government, Pudemo claims. After the poisoning, Makhanya was rushed to the hospital under police escort, and it has been confirmed that he is now in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He informed authorities and medical staff that he had been poisoned and robbed of his cell phones.

Wandile Dludlu, the deputy president of Pudemo, confirmed that the poison used in the incident was a dangerous pesticide, describing the act as an "assassination attempt" on the life of their leader. "It is encouraging that the president has survived a day," Dludlu said, expressing hope that Makhanya will continue to recover. However, the Eswatini government has firmly denied any involvement in the attempt on Makhanya’s life, with government spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo stating that Eswatini "does not kill or poison suspects" and adheres to a strict code of ethics and professionalism. The attack on Makhanya comes ahead of planned protests next month organized by Pudemo, demanding multi-party elections and greater political freedoms. Eswatini currently allows independent candidates to run for parliament, but political parties are banned from participating in elections. The planned protests are part of a broader push by opposition groups for democratic reforms in a country where King Mswati III has ruled by decree since ascending the throne in 1986. The monarch has faced widespread criticism for his lavish lifestyle and tight control over the political system. This latest assassination attempt is reminiscent of past incidents, including the killing of human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko in 2022. Maseko, a vocal critic of the monarchy, was shot dead at his home in Mbabane, sparking outrage and condemnation from international human rights groups. Makhanya’s own home in Eswatini was also targeted in September 2022, when it was set alight in what was believed to be a firebomb attack orchestrated by state agents.

Makhanya’s party, Pudemo, has appealed for international support to ensure his and his family's safety while he remains in the hospital. The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), a group representing Swazis in South Africa, has condemned the attack, labeling it a "clear assassination attempt" and calling on the South African government to take action against Swazi state agents targeting exiled pro-democracy activists. Eswatini has been mired in political unrest for years, with opposition parties accusing security forces of killing dozens of protesters who have called for political change. In 2021, student-led demonstrations against alleged police brutality evolved into broader demands for reform, resulting in violent clashes with security forces. According to Human Rights Watch, at least 46 people were killed during these protests, though the Eswatini government has disputed this figure, claiming that the police were merely responding to violent attacks from demonstrators. Despite the ongoing violence and repression, Pudemo has vowed to proceed with next month’s planned protests. "This is a political fight between the oppressed masses and the traditional autocratic monarch," Dludlu said, signaling that the pro-democracy movement in Eswatini remains determined to continue its struggle for political change. As Makhanya recovers from the poisoning, the situation in Eswatini remains tense, with international attention focused on the government's response to the opposition’s demands for reform and the future of the country’s political landscape.