Gunmen in Eswatini killed a prominent opposition politician and human rights lawyer at his home, a spokesman told AFP on Sunday, hours after the country’s absolute monarch challenged activists opposed to his rule.

Thulani Maseko was shot dead on Saturday night by unknown attackers in Luhleko, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the capital Mbabane, opposition spokesman Sikelela Dlamini said.

He was told that “assassins shot him through the window while he was inside (the) house with his family”, he said.

“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.

Maseko was a leading human rights lawyer and columnist in Eswatini who had a pending court battle with King Mswati III over the monarch’s decision to rename the country Eswatini by decree.

The country’s name was changed from Swaziland to Eswatini to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain in 2018.

Maseko’s position was that the king had not followed the constitution in the process.

‘No surprise’

In 2014, he and the editor of The Nation magazine, Bheki Makhubu, were jailed for contempt of court over articles critical of the government and judiciary.

Maseko was the founder of MSF, a coalition of opposition parties, associations and churches.

His death comes just hours after the king challenged activists fighting to end Africa’s last absolute monarchy.

“People should not shed tears and complain about mercenaries killing them,” King Mswati had said.

“These people started the violence first but when the state institutes a crackdown on them for their actions, they make a lot of noise blaming King Mswati for bringing in mercenaries,” he said.

Last week, the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) alleged that the king had hired mercenaries, mainly white Afrikaners from neighbouring South Africa, to help Eswatini’s security forces suppress rising opposition to his regime.

But government spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo said “no hitmen have been hired”.

Rights group Freedom Under Law, which operates across southern Africa, pointed a finger at the government.

“Somehow the stunning news that Thulani Maseko has been gunned down in cold blood comes as no surprise,” it said in a statement.

“A ceaseless and fearless human-rights lawyer, an outspoken critic of the regime in his beloved Eswatini, Thulani had all too long suffered at the hands of a heedless regime.”

‘Powerful voice’

“No-one can be misled by the cynical message of condolence put out on behalf of the government,” it added.

The US Embassy at Mbabane expressed its “profound sadness” and extended “deepest condolences to Mr. Maseko’s family, friends and admirers around the world”.

“Eswatini and the world have lost a powerful voice for non violence and human rights,” the US Embassy statement added.

King Mswati, who has ruled since 1986, is regularly accused of human rights violations.

The king, who can dissolve parliament, the government and appoint or dismiss judges, also commands the police and army. (AFP via Channels)

•PHOTO:In this file photo taken on September 22, 2018 Thulani Maseko, human rights lawyer and activist, looks on as he gives an interview to Agence France-Presse in Lobamba, Eswatini. Gunmen in Eswatini killed a prominent opposition politician and human rights lawyer at his home, a spokesman told AFP on January 22, 2023, hours after the country’s absolute monarch challenged activists opposed to his rule.

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