Mlungisi Makhanya, the leader of Eswatini’s main opposition party, has reportedly been poisoned in what his party describes as an assassination attempt. The 46-year-old has been residing in South Africa for the past two years after fleeing violence in his home country, where pro-democracy activists have faced severe crackdowns under King Mswati III’s rule.
According to the People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), Makhanya is currently hospitalized and remains in a critical but stable condition. The party stated, “Our president has been stabilized but he is still in a critical condition.”
Eswatini’s government has denied any involvement, with spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo asserting that the state does not engage in such acts. This incident coincides with upcoming protests calling for multi-party elections in a nation that has been criticized for its lack of political freedoms.
Makhanya’s poisoning allegedly occurred early Tuesday in his Pretoria home, allegedly carried out by a young male suspect. Pudemo claims this individual acted as an “agent of evil intent” for the Swazi government. He was transported to a local hospital with police assistance and later moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Reports indicate that he informed authorities that he had been poisoned and robbed of his cell phones.
Pudemo’s deputy president, Wandile Dludlu, described the substance used as an “extremely dangerous and fatal” pesticide, labeling the event a deliberate assassination attempt. In response, Nxumalo maintained that the government upholds a strict ethical code in law enforcement, emphasizing their commitment to apprehending suspects alive.
Pudemo has called for international support to ensure Makhanya’s safety while he receives treatment. The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), an organization of Swazis in South Africa, condemned the incident as a “bold attack” and urged the South African government to address threats against exiled pro-democracy activists.
Historically, opposition parties in Eswatini have accused state security of orchestrating violence against protesters, with at least 46 individuals reported dead following student-led protests in 2021. These demonstrations initially focused on police brutality but escalated into broader demands for political reform.
Despite the risks, Dludlu affirmed that Pudemo remains committed to holding the planned protests next month, framing the struggle as a confrontation between the oppressed populace and an autocratic monarchy.
