The Prime Minister of Eswatini, Ambrose Dlamini has died after testing positive for coronavirus four weeks ago.
In a statement the government announced the death of Dlamini who was 52.
He died on Sunday afternoon in hospital in South Africa.
Although the government didn’t mention the cause of death, Dlamini recently was diagnosed with Covid-19 and has been receiving treatment in South Africa.
Dlamini had been prime minister of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, since October 2018.
On Sunday the government said Dlamini died “while under medical care in a hospital in South Africa”, without giving more details.
“Government in collaboration with the family will keep the nation informed of subsequent arrangements,” Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku said in the statement.
Their Majesties announce the sad passing of His Excellency the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini. pic.twitter.com/6alMuSN8oo
— Eswatini Government (@EswatiniGovern1) December 13, 2020
Dlamini is a former banker who was appointed prime minister by King Mswati III in 2018.
The head of government’s role is limited in Eswatini, where the king names all ministers and controls parliament.
King Mswati III was crowned in 1986 at the age of 18, succeeding his long-serving father King Sobhuza II, who died at the age of 82.
The king rules by decree and has been criticised for the heavy-handed treatment of opponents and for requesting public money to pay for new palaces and luxury cars.
Eswatini, located in southern Africa is one of the absolute monarchies in the world.
With a population of about one million, the country has recorded 6,768 coronavirus infections and 127 deaths linked to the pandemic.
Source: Africafeeds.com
