Eswatini PM dies in S African hospital after contracting Covid-19
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Ambrose Dlamini, 52, had been hospitalised in neighbouring South Africa in early December
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - The prime minister of Eswatini, Africa s last absolute monarchy, died in a South African hospital on Sunday after contracting coronavirus, the government said in a statement.
Ambrose Dlamini, 52, had been hospitalised in neighbouring South Africa in early December, two weeks after testing positive for Covid-19. Their Majesties have commanded that I inform the nation of the sad and untimely passing away of His Excellency the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku said.
Eswatini s Ambrose Dlamini dies after contracting COVID-19 polity.org.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from polity.org.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Dlamini, a businessman but political novice, was named prime minister in October 2018.
The head of government’s role is limited in Eswatini where the current king, in power since 1986, names all ministers and controls parliament.
Formerly known as Swaziland, the kingdom of Eswatini has reported over 6,700 coronavirus cases and 127 deaths among its population of 1.2 million people.
A South Africa-based civil society group, the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), had accused the government of giving the prime minister special treatment by moving him to a country with better healthcare.
More than 39 percent of the tiny landlocked country’s population lived below the poverty line in 2016 and 2017, according to the World Bank.
Ambrose Dlamini, 52, was rushed to hospital in S. Africa in early December
Dlamini had tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks prior to being admitted
King Mswati III expressed his sadness at the untimely passing of the PM
Eswatini, tiny landlocked country in S.A., is continent’s last absolute monarchy
By ROSS IBBETSON FOR MAILONLINE and AFP
PUBLISHED: 10:54 GMT, 14 December 2020
The Prime Minister of Eswatini has become the first world leader to die of Covid-19, two weeks after he was rushed to hospital in South Africa.
Ambrose Dlamini, 52, tested positive for the disease in mid-November but was said to be feeling well and was asymptomatic.
Eswatini s PM dies after testing positive for Covid-19 thejournal.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thejournal.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.