Eswatini
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- absolute monarchy
- CONSTITUTION
- signed by the King in July 2005, effective October 8, 2006
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on South African Roman-Dutch law and traditional customary law
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Senate and Assembly Chamber
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- High Court, Supreme Court, judges appointed by the King
RELIGIONS
40% Zionists, 20% Catholics, 10% Muslims, 30% other
From the country
- NOVEMBER 27, 2001EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
A South African man, Bongani Mkhwanazi, escaped the...
A South African man, Bongani Mkhwanazi, escaped the gallows in Swaziland, SABC radio news reported
- NOVEMBER 26, 2001EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
Swaziland senators have presented a motion demanding...
Swaziland senators have presented a motion demanding the Ministers of Constitutional Affairs and Justice to eventually fix a date for the execution of 12 death row inmates [four of them have been given a royal pardon]
- NOVEMBER 15, 2001EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
Four inmates out of the 12 on death row in Swaziland...
Four inmates out of the 12 on death row in Swaziland had their death sentences commuted to life-terms, to be served until they reach 75 years of age
- JUNE 6, 2001EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
The Swaziland Court of Appeal ordered a retrial in...
The Swaziland Court of Appeal ordered a retrial in the case of Bongani Mkhwanazi, a South African sentenced to death for murder
- APRIL 25, 2001EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
Swaziland voted against the resolution on the death...
Swaziland voted against the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights on April 25, 2001 (2001/68)
- JANUARY 1, 2001EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was not mentioned in the Constitution...
The death penalty was not mentioned in the Constitution suspended in 1973
- MAY 24, 2000EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
Joshua Mzizi, president of the Human Rights Organisation...
Joshua Mzizi, president of the Human Rights Organisation of Swaziland (HUMARAS), said that the Swaziland government still retains the death penalty in its statutes, a situation that is out of step with its neighbours and in defiance of condemnation from h
- MAY 22, 2000EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
"Swazis believe in justice and letting the punishment...
"Swazis believe in justice and letting the punishment fit the crime," said Justice Minister Maweni Simelane
- APRIL 26, 2000EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
Swaziland voted against the resolution on the death...
Swaziland voted against the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights on April 26 (no
- MARCH 31, 2000EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
Marwick Khumalo, a Swazi MP for Lobamba demanded to...
Marwick Khumalo, a Swazi MP for Lobamba demanded to know whether the dozen people on death row were ever going to face the hangman
- MARCH 30, 2000EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Chief...
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Chief Maweni Simelane, said the government had given up its search for a permanent hangman because there were many people on death row
- MARCH 18, 2000EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
The High Court Judge Stanley Maphalala handed down...
The High Court Judge Stanley Maphalala handed down the death sentence against five men and one woman, who killed a priest and his wife in cold blood after suspecting the couple bewitched them