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thulani masekolatest news & developments
In the coming days, the last absolute monarch in sub-Saharan Africa, King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini will celebrate 40 years on the throne. Photo: Wang Yu Ching

Mswati’s word as law fuels  repression in Eswatini

The call for freedom of expression, including LGBTIQ+ rights, is a fundamental human right vital for safety and dignity

King Mswati III. (File photo)

The despot next door: King Mswati’s greed and repression are a growing threat to southern Africa

As Swaziland descends deeper into dictatorship, the monarch’s influence is spreading, and his alliance with Jacob Zuma threatens the region’s democratic future

Hornet’s nest: Protesters run for cover as they clash with police in September 2018 in Manzini. (Photo: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP)

Unite to fight for human rights in eSwatini

The absolute monarchy has been declared ‘not free’ after it scored 17 out of 100 in the Freedom in the World 2024 report

Assassination: A man pays tribute to eSwatini human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko. He was killed in January this year in front of his wife and two children  at his home in Luhelko. (James Wakibia/Getty Images)

The forgotten people of eSwatini

Dissidents are are being killed, detained and forced into exile for demanding human rights and freedom

Thulani Maseko, chairperson of the pro-democracy MultiStakeholder Forum, was shot dead at his home in Luyengo, in southeast Eswatini, about 45km from the capital Mbabane. He was 52 years old.
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Eswatini government slams ‘speculation’ over murder of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko

Activist was assassinated because he demanded democratic reforms, say supporters

Hornet’s nest: Protesters run for cover as they clash with police in September 2018 in Manzini. (Photo: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP)

Eswatini opposition parties call for the urgent return of SADC troika

Opposition parties have requested that the regional delegation return to the Kingdom within one week and meet all stakeholders under one roof

Hornet’s nest: Protesters run for cover as they clash with police in September 2018 in Manzini. (Photo: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP)

How eSwatini silences opposition activists

Activists in the Kingdom of eSwatini are routinely arrested on vague and flimsy charges

Bheki Makhubu

Swazi court orders release of editor, human rights lawyer

The Supreme Court in Swaziland has ordered the release of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and editor Bheki Makhubu.

‘SA must act on Swazi rights crisis’

Jailed lawyer Thulani Maseko feels the wrath of the system he slammed, but remains undeterred.

King Mswati III of Swaziland

Jailed Swazi critic put in solitary confinement

According to his supporters, jailed lawyer Thulani Maseko has been put in solitary confinement last week for a total duration of three weeks.

Bheki Makhubu

Prominent Swazi activists jailed for criticism of judiciary

Swaziland’s high court has sentenced an editor and a human rights lawyer to two years for contempt of court over articles critical of the judiciary.

The taming of Swaziland’s judiciary

Pliant judges who do King Mswati III’s bidding are wreaking havoc on the kingdom’s legal system, writes Khethiwe Dlamini*.

The detained editor of a Swaziland political magazine

Swazi judge ejects editor’s wife from court for ‘sleeping’

The judge presiding over Swazi editor Bheki Makhubu’s trial has thrown out Makhubu’s wife from the courtroom for allegedly sleeping.

The detained editor of a Swaziland political magazine

Swazi editor Makhubu kept in maximum security prison

Bheki Makhubu, editor of the Nation in Swaziland, is being held in a maximum security prison before his trial for contempt charges start next week.

The detained editor of a Swaziland political magazine

Judge orders re-arrest of Swaziland editor, lawyer

A judge has ordered that a warrant of arrest be issued to the "Nation" editor Thulani Maseko and lawyer Thulani Maseko, who were released on Sunday.