Eswatini’s main opposition leader, Mlungisi Makhanya, has been hospitalized in South Africa following a suspected poisoning according to his party.
Makhanya is the president of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), the country’s main opposition although political parties are banned in Eswatini.
At a press conference on September 26, PUDEMO party leaders revealed that Makhanya had been poisoned with the pesticide Organophosphate labeling the incident an assassination attempt.
According to Pudemo deputy president Wandile Dludlu an unnamed “young boy” was used as an “agent of evil intent by the Swazil government” to poison Makhanya.
PUDEMO Treasurer General Velaphi Mamba stated that the suspect poisoned Makhanya’s food on the evening of September 23, locked him inside his house, and stole four of his phones to prevent him from seeking help.
In September 2022, Makhanya’s home in Eswatini was allegedly firebombed by state agents, forcing him to flee to Pretoria, South Africa, where he now lives in exile with his family.
The alleged attempt on Makhanya’s life comes just ahead of PUDEMO’s planned protests in October calling for multi-party democracy in Eswatini.
Formerly known as Swaziland, Eswatini is a monarchy ruled by King Mswati III, who ascended to the throne at the age of 18 after succeeding his father, King Sobhuza II.
Press statement by PUDEMO on the poisoning of party leader Mlungisi Makhanya on September 24.
