The murder of prominent human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and the subsequent admission by the government that it hired ‘security experts’ to deal with pro-democracy activists have created a state of fear in Eswatini.

As the “security experts”, who are largely seen as mercenaries, rove at night in search for those perceived by the state to be terrorists, pro-democracy activists are fleeing in droves to neighbouring South Africa while those who remain pull back from protest lines.

The Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF), an organisation comprising civil society and religious and political groups, which Maseko chaired, estimates that “close to 200” activists have fled to South Africa in recent months. 

Read full article: Lawyers live in fear as Swazi state intensifies crackdown on activists

Photo: S’mile Vilakati on Unsplash