Who Really Killed Thulani Maseko? – The Unanswered Questions Behind a Human Rights Defender’s Assassination
June 2025
On the night of January 21, 2023, renowned Swazi human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko was shot dead in his home in front of his family in Luhleko, a rural village about 50 km from Mbabane, Eswatini’s capital. His assassination sent shockwaves across Africa and the global human rights community. More than two years later, the question remains unanswered: Who really killed Thulani Maseko?
Thulani Maseko was not just any lawyer. He was a bold, principled defender of the oppressed in a country where dissent is criminalized. He co-founded the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF), a pro-democracy coalition advocating peaceful transition from absolute monarchy to democratic rule. He had spent time in prison for criticizing the judiciary and was involved in numerous constitutional and human rights cases.
He was, in many ways, the conscience of Eswatini.
A Chilling Warning
What makes his assassination even more disturbing is that just hours before Maseko was killed, King Mswati III reportedly issued a chilling statement during a national event:
“People should not complain about mercenaries killing them. They started the violence first.”
While not naming anyone directly, the timing of the king’s remarks raised widespread suspicion — especially because the government had already been accused of hiring foreign mercenaries to crack down on pro-democracy activists following the 2021 protests, in which dozens of civilians were killed.
The Government's Response: Silence and Deflection
In the aftermath of Maseko’s killing, the government denied any involvement, promising to “investigate.” But to date, no arrests have been made, and no meaningful updates have been released.
International organizations — including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and the United States government — condemned the murder and called for an independent investigation. But the Eswatini government has failed to act transparently or swiftly.
Instead, state media attempted to shift blame onto unnamed "enemies of the state" or foreign actors. Meanwhile, activists inside the country believe that his assassination was a targeted political killing, meant to silence one of the most respected voices for peaceful change.
A Pattern of Intimidation
Maseko's death fits into a broader pattern in Eswatini, where journalists, union leaders, and political activists have been arrested, beaten, or killed for speaking out. In 2021, during the height of the pro-democracy protests, state security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing dozens. No accountability followed.
There’s also growing evidence that the regime is using foreign mercenaries, reportedly from South Africa and other countries, to do its dirty work — providing deniability while maintaining a climate of fear.
So, Who Killed Thulani Maseko?
Officially? No one knows.
Realistically? Many in Eswatini and beyond believe state actors or those closely aligned with the monarchy are responsible — whether directly through security services or indirectly through mercenaries. The lack of transparency, the timing of the king’s comments, and the government’s silence all point to a coordinated effort to eliminate a peaceful opponent.
A Martyr, Not a Victim
Thulani Maseko’s legacy lives on. His life represents a peaceful struggle for democracy, justice, and the rule of law. While his killers remain unidentified and unpunished, his message continues to echo across Eswatini — in courtrooms, classrooms, and protest marches.
His death was meant to silence — but instead, it has inspired a generation.
“You can kill the dreamer, but not the dream.”
— Thulani Maseko (quoted by colleagues from past speeches)
Final Thought
Justice for Thulani Maseko remains an unfinished struggle. His assassination is a test for both the people of Eswatini and the international community: will silence be accepted, or will the truth eventually come to light?
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