Eswatini Grants Diplomatic Passport to Controversial Mnangagwa Ally

King Mswati III of Eswatini sparked intense public outrage by granting citizenship and a diplomatic passport to controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo. Local accounts reported by ZimEye confirmed the royal decree, which officially positions this close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa as an Eswatini representative. Civil society groups and political opposition figures in both nations strongly condemned the move, labeling it a blatant abuse of diplomatic privilege to shield a politically connected figure. Critics argue that the decision undermines regional anti-corruption efforts and severely tarnishes Eswatini's international standing. This controversial alliance exposes how regional elites exploit sovereign privileges to bypass international financial scrutiny and secure personal immunity from prosecution.