[2][3][4] Maseko's husband Thulani rose to prominence as a democracy activist, in addition to his work as a lawyer for minority and disadvantaged groups in Eswatini.
Thulani had been imprisoned for contempt of court between 18 March 2014 and 30 July 2015 after writing an article in The Nation raising concerns about judicial independence and integrity in Eswatini.
[9] Local independent media outlets in Eswatini reported that Maseko was being targeted and monitored by state authorities and that her life was potentially in danger.
[10] On 29 December 2023, a Swazi government spokesperson, Alpheous Nxumalo, released a statement on X dismissing the reports, while also making derogatory remarks about Maseko, including accusing her of being on "a global charade to cash in on her husband's death", of contaminating the crime scene immediately following Thulani's death, and of misrepresenting comments made by Mswati III concerning his stance on human rights activists.
[9] On 27 March 2024, Maseko and her children were stopped at the South Africa-Eswatini border between Oshoek and Ngwenya when attempting to cross back into Eswatini.