Suspicion falls on state in killing of political activist

Authorities promised a full investigation of the murder of a leading pro-democracy activist amid widespread fears that state security agencies may have been involved. Thulani Maseko, the chair of a pro-democracy coalition, was shot dead at his home in Luyengo, about 45km from the capital, Mbabane.

The murder has prompted international outrage. “Thulani Maseko was a stalwart of human rights who, at great risk to himself, spoke up for many who couldn’t speak up for themselves,” Volker Türk, the UN’s high commissioner for human rights, said.