The main opposition leader in Eswatini, Mlungisi Makhanya, has reportedly been poisoned in an assassination attempt, according to his party, the People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo). Makhanya, 46, who has been living in exile in South Africa for two years due to fears for his safety, is currently being treated in a Pretoria hospital, where his condition remains critical but stable.
Pudemo claims the poisoning occurred early Tuesday morning at Makhanya’s residence in Pretoria. He was allegedly poisoned by a “young boy” acting as an agent for the Swazi government, who also robbed Makhanya of his cell phones. The opposition leader was quickly rushed to the hospital under police escort and later moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
In a press briefing, Pudemo’s deputy president, Wandile Dludlu, revealed that a highly toxic pesticide poison was used in the attempt on Makhanya’s life, which the party sees as part of a broader strategy to eliminate pro-democracy activists in Eswatini.
Eswatini’s government has denied any involvement in the incident. Government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo stated that Eswatini law enforcement operates under a strict code of ethics, only apprehending suspects for legal proceedings, not assassination attempts.
Makhanya, who has been a vocal critic of King Mswati III’s absolute monarchy, leads Pudemo, a banned pro-democracy party in Eswatini. The attack on Makhanya comes ahead of planned protests demanding multi-party elections in the country, where political parties are not allowed to participate in parliamentary elections.
Makhanya’s party has called for international support to ensure the safety of its leader and his family. The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), a group of exiled Swazis, condemned the poisoning as a clear assassination attempt, urging the South African government to take action against agents of the Swazi state targeting pro-democracy activists.
This is not the first time Makhanya has been targeted. In September 2022, his home in Eswatini was set on fire in an alleged state-sponsored attack.
