eSwatini’s King Mswati a threat to southern Africa

King Mswati III of eSwatini rules over a country in deep political and economic crisis, writes activist and scholar Velaphi Mamba in the Mail & Guardian. He says today, Mswati presides over a nation in distress – one wracked by repression and inequality. ‘Mswati is internationally notorious for his opulence: multiple wives, palaces, a fleet of luxury cars, two customised jets and a lavish lifestyle supported by one of the most unequal economies in the world. His personal extravagance stands in stark contrast to the poverty of the 1.2m people he rules over – subjects, rather than citizens, under an absolute monarchy.' According to Mamba, as of 2023, approximately 59% of the population lives below the poverty line, with 29% experiencing extreme poverty. ‘Under his rule, Swaziland has become a private estate for the royal family. With sweeping executive, legislative and judicial powers, the king holds an estimated 90% stake in the national economy. He is listed by Forbes as having a personal fortune of around $200m. Although this wealth is officially held “in trust” for the nation, in reality it is used almost exclusively for the benefit of the royal household. He maintains financial interests in all major sectors of the economy, while the population sinks deeper into poverty.’ The king, he says, by contrast, has seen his salary increase by R55m in 2025 alone, bringing the total cost of his upkeep to the public purse to R1.4bn.

‘This is not merely a matter of inequality. Swaziland is a dictatorship. Political parties have been banned for 52 years. Freedom of speech, association and assembly are denied. The country is ruled through intimidation and force, with the security services – and a mercenary contingent stationed near the capital – deployed to suppress protest. Opposition figures are regularly jailed, assassinated or driven into exile. Independent journalists are silenced or forced out of the country, most often to South Africa, in order to continue their work.’ Mamaba states in the M&G analysis that the scale of repression under Mswati intensified dramatically following mass protests that erupted across the country in 2021 and 2022. ‘The most chilling signal of the regime’s intolerance came in January 2023 with the assassination of Thulani Maseko, a respected human rights lawyer and outspoken critic of the monarchy, who was shot dead in his home. Maseko had long warned that meaningful reform in Swaziland would require sustained international pressure on the regime. His killing sent a clear message that no dissent would be tolerated.’ He adds that there is growing evidence that Mswati’s regime has begun building a surveillance state to tighten control over dissent. ‘In recent years, reports have emerged that the government has sought to acquire Israeli-developed cellphone hacking and interception tools, allegedly with the assistance of private firms.'

'And yet the region, particularly South Africa, has remained largely passive in the face of these abuses. Mswati’s authoritarian influence is not confined to Swaziland.' Mamba states in the M&G analysis that in recent years, he has become an increasingly disruptive force in the region. 'South Africa must also take responsibility for enabling Mswati. For decades, the Swazi monarchy has enjoyed the economic buffer provided by South Africa through the Southern African Customs Union, which accounts for over 40% of Swaziland’s national budget. In return, the king has often acted in ways that directly undermine Pretoria’s foreign policy.’ Mamba points out that Swaziland is actively seeking a larger role in continental governance structures, including the African Union’s Peace and Security Council – a body meant to promote democratic norms and protect human rights. ‘That such a deeply undemocratic state can seek legitimacy through these institutions is alarming. The world is entering a period of profound instability. The global resurgence of far-right populism, especially under the influence of figures like US President Donald Trump, is already reshaping international politics. In southern Africa, Mswati embodies many of the same authoritarian tendencies. Whether Pretoria will continue to indulge his behaviour remains to be seen. But one thing is clear – the time for quiet tolerance is over. Confronting the despot next door is now a regional imperative.’

Full analysis in the Mail & Guardian