Africa-Press – Eswatini. Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, has warned the nation against cheap politics.
Masuku issued the concern following reports that the State was responsible for the callous murder of human rights defender and chairperson of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum, Thulani Maseko.
Among those who have made the allegation is the wife of the slain lawyer.
The DPM said Maseko’s wife was playing cheap politics by alleging that her husband was murdered by the State.
A video has been widely circulated on social media and also aired on Facebook where Tenele (Maseko’s wife) alleged that the three bullet wounds that claimed the life of the celebrated lawyer were orchestrated by government.
Maseko, who was laid to rest at Bhunya (KaLuhleko) a fortnight ago, was killed at his homestead by unknown gunmen who fired three shots in full view of Tenele and their children.
His murder attracted global attention as countries and organisations called for independent investigations into his death.
They also called upon the government to prepare for an open dialogue process to address the socio-political issues in the kingdom.
Masuku said there was currently no evidence of the people who had killed Maseko. He said the police were still investigating the matter. “Tenele has not provided any evidence of the people who killed Maseko.
She was present at the scene of crime but she has not identified the killers. It is therefore cheap politics for her to accuse the State of killing Maseko without providing the necessary evidence,” Masuku said.
The deputy premier said it was also evident that Tenele advocates for regime change through violent taking and power by force.
“That is not democracy. The Constitution clearly sets out the procedure to be followed for peaceful political reforms. Emaswati through Sibaya constitute the highest policy and advisory council of the nation under the Chairmanship of Ingwenyama,” Masuku stated.
He pointed out that Sibaya functioned as the annual general meeting of the nation but may be convened anytime to present the views of the nation on pressing national issues. However, he said a peaceful environment was necessary before Sibaya could be convened.
Masuku said the call for a national dialogue could not be held under the current hostilities where certain political groups were calling for a violent political overthrow of the government. He said it was necessary that political groups should renounce violence and refrain from the killing of innocent people in the country and the burning of properties.
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“As long as political groups intimidate and instil fear to the nation and perpetuate acts of violence no dialogue could be held,” Masuku clarified.
He emphasised that the State had repeatedly put forward its position on the national dialogue both locally and internationally, including at the SADC where Prime Minister, Cleopas Dlamini, clearly articulated the country’s position. Heads of State and government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extra-Ordinary Organ Troika Summit urged government to urgently initiate the process of the national dialogue.
The summit also urged all stakeholders in the country to remain calm and participate peacefully in the national dialogue. During the two-day summit, which was held in Namibia, officially opened and chaired by the President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Hage Geingob, in his capacity as Chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
The summit was attended by SADC Heads of State and Government and representatives, including the Prime Minister of Eswatini Cleopas Dlamini, Zambia President, Hakainde Hichilema and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, among others.
In a communiqué issued by SADC, the summit condemned all killings and damage to property in the country and reiterated SADC’s condemnation of the killing of Maseko, who at the time of his death, was Chairperson of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF).
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