MBABANE:Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, the National Spokesperson of the African National Congress(ANC) has released a statement on behalf of the political organization, condemning the poisoning or attempted assassination of eSwatini main opposition leader Mlungisi Makhanya, the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO).
“The African National Congress(ANC) strongly condemns the attempted assassination of the President of the People’s United Democratic Movement of Eswatini(PUDEMO), Cde Mlungisi Makhanya. This cowardly act of violence is an attack not only on Cde Makhanya but also on the values of peace, democracy and freedom for which PUDEMO has long fought. The ANC stands firmly in solidarity with the people of Eswatini, and all forward-thinking initiatives that seek to establish a free and democratic society. We believe that political conflicts should be addressed through respectful dialogue and democratic processes, rather than through violence and intimidation. The recent attempt on a life is a blatant infringement on the right to political expression and jeopardizes the rightful quest for democracy in Eswatini. The ANC calls on the international community, civil society and regional bodies like SADC to condemn this attack and promptly act to ensure the safety of Cde Makhanya.Assassinations will not delay the will of the people”, reads the statement in part, released by the ANC on Friday after a meeting with PUDEMO Executive later on Thursday.
Mlungisi Makhanya,the PUDEMO President was first attacked by King Mswati’s regime allegedly with State military weapons,his alternative home at Malindza was bombed and destroyed during the recent political unrest.
But information later emerged suggesting that,the State agents who bombed the house were suspecting that he was inside with his wife and children and, wanted to destroy and kill everything.
The eSwatini Government,through its Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo has been making threats suggesting that,political activists and human rights defenders hiding in South Africa will eventually be apprehended.
This comes after eSwatini State agents invaded the neighboring South Africa and abducted Thabo Kunene, the alleged Commander of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces(SISF), an alleged pro-democracy underground wing of the eSwatini Mass Democratic Movement(MDM).
The abduction of Kunene came after the killing of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko who was assassinated inside his home at Luyengo in the outskirts of Bhunya.
Political parties are banned in eSwatini and independent journalists,political activists and human rights defenders are arrested, tortured forced into exile or killed for criticizing the Government, demanding democracy.
PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya.