Eswatini Observer

King, international partners recognise policework NATCOM RESPONDS TO

THE Royal Eswatini Police Service’s (REPS) contribution to maintaining peace and combating serious and emerging crimes has earned recognition from His Majesty King Mswati III and international policing partners. The international partners, according...

Trapped woman found dead

FORapproximately 11 hours, the Nxumalo family kept vigil outside Bhunu Mall, clinging to the hope that Tiyandza Millenia Masilela aged 26 will be brought out alive from beneath the rubble. She never did. Instead, the family’s long night of waiting...

Minister is threatening me-- MP

King assumes Troika Chairmanship

Some argue that broad mandates make scores unequal; others say scores must be judged by responsibilities

(Pic: Phiwase Phungwayo)

GOJE TOWNSHIP SHOOTING: Judgment slated for Sept 23

THE Kingdom of Eswatini is well positioned to take over the chairman ship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and carry out its electoral responsibilities. The reassurancewas given bySADC Head of Mission in Zambia, Samuel Tembenu SC...

114 street dwellers to get food, blankets

“NIBANGANI esontfweni?” Thiswas the pointed question from theLobamba LomdzalaRoyalKraal ( umphakatsi) following the breakin at the Africa Evangelical Church (AEC) in Mahlanya on Sunday. The traditional authority has since called for calm amid a...

Breakthrough for drug addicts

CLERK to Parliament Benedict Xaba broke down in tears as he shared his painful journey of helping his son fight substance abuse addiction. This was during the official opening of the first medical detoxification and rehabilitation centre in the...

DEPORTATION SNAG:

(Pics: Khetsiwe Khumalo)

Traditional healer to testify

A traditional healer is expected to be one of the State’s key witnesses in the murder trial of Mashumi Shongwe. This follows prosecutors alleging that Shongwe had confessed to hiring people to kill his estranged wife Tigezile Magongo on November 30,...

ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING: 20 more foreign nationals fined E500

Some of the 20 foreign nationals all smiles after they were fined E500 each by Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi at the Mbabane Magistrate's Court after spending almost five months in custody for contravening the Immigration Act. They were said to...

No nation too small to matter - King

⬤ His Majesty King Mswati III says smaller nations should not be treated as spectators in global affairs; adds that sovereignty, respect must apply to all States regardless

SIXBRANCHES STILL EMBROILEDIN DISPUTES

SIXbranchesoftheAfricaEvangelical Church (AEC) remain at the centre of protracted disputes linked to the dismissal and suspension of their resident pastors. The disputes have unfolded across the Lobamba Lomdzala, Mankayane, Ekuthokozeni, Mkhomati,...

NatCom promotes 120 police officers EBC introduces continuous voter registration

(Pics: Lucky Simelane)

TLC BOMBSHELL:

STORY ON PAGE 11 (Pics: Lusito

HANDSOFFACC:

(Pics: Lucky Simelane)

Man arrested for rape of twin daughters (12) PMBEEFSUPACC

A 36-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of repeatedly raping his 12-year-old twin daughters. TheaccusedappearedbeforePigg’s PeakPrincipalMagistrateNonhlanhla Dlamini, where he is charged with contravening Section 3(1), read with...

Political interference inACC fuelling corruption – CJ

CHIEF Justice Bheki Maphalala has attributed the persistence of corruption in Eswatini to political interference in the operations of the Anti-CorruptionCommission(ACC). Hesaid theCommission cannot effectively execute its mandate while subject to...

We have a good Cabinet - Minister Savannah

DESPITE reports of divisions and silos within Cabinet, Minister of Information, Communications and Technology Savannah Maziya says she believes the country has a very good Cabinet. The minister shared her views during the third edition of the Eswatini...

PM blasts ministers

PRIME Minister (PM) Russell MmisoDlamini says there is unity in Cabinet, but admitted that they sometimes do not see eye-to-eye, noting that ministers who were leaking Cabinet business were being engaged. “Kukhona kubambisana kukhulu futsi kukhona...

‘Stigma, financial hardships fuelling HIV infections’

Mngomezulu). (Pics: Mduduzi

E450000 house demolished at Nkhaba

The Shabangu family’s house valued at an estimated E450 000 was demolished at Nkhaba yesterday. The house was built on a piece of land on a farm that someone else has claimed to own. INSET - Some of the movable household items that the family managed...

‘They had already budgeted for salary increase’ Civil servants cry foul

PUBLIC sector unions (PSUs) say many civil servants are feeling the impact of tax because they had already committed the expected salary increase money before receiving it. The unions said some civil servants had made financial plans based on the...

RAPE CASES CONTROVERSY:

(Pics: Nokuzola Thwala)

His Majesty receives letters of credence from Angola, Ghana

His Majesty King Mswati III with the Republic of Angola Ambassador Jovelina Imperial E Costa during the presentation of letters of credence at Lozitha Palace yesterday. RIGHT - His Majesty also received letters of credence from the Republic of Ghana...

Struggling triplet mother appeals for help

(Courtesy pics)

Another pastor arrested for sexually violating teen Psychiatric patients riot, demand larger rations …Break open steel gate to escape, but later rounded up by police in town

ANOTHERpastor has appeared before the Manzini Magistrates Court after being charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a 15year-old girl. PhiwayinkhosiNgwenya (33), of Mpolonjeni, appearedbeforePrincipal Magistrate David Khumalo on Monday facing a...

Mugg & Bean opens new outlet at Corporate Place

Coffee lovers are in for a treat as Mugg & Bean at the Swazi Plaza Corporate Place is now fully operational. Customers yesterday, were already queueing up for the various coffee selection to warm them up, especially with the ongoing low temperatures.

Govt puts psychiatric patients on

GOVERNMENT has introduced a strict diet for psychiatric patients at the National Psychiatric Referral Hospital, aimed at curbing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, nurses at the hospital have raised alarm that this could have...

17USdeportees ‘in good health’

(Pic: Phiwase Phungwayo)

‘Consumer Forum only on paper’

THE Eswatini Consumer Forum (ECOF), which is currently fighting the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) over the E2.79 billion complex through courts, cannot be found at the address it provided to the High Court, it has been revealed. It appears to exist...

Lover commits suicide

BARELY a day after the murdered Mot shane High female teacher’ s body was discovered bundled in her car boot, her boyfriend was also found dead after a suspected suicide incident. M dud uzi D la mini (47) of M ah lab at si ni in Gege, Nhlangano is...

Teacher found dead in car boot

WHILE the country is still reeling in shock following the gruesome murder off our women atMf ab antfu allegedly by Apostolic Faith Church International Pastor Nkosingiphile Zwane, a female teacher has been found dead with multiple injuries, bundled...

Victims laid to rest No church service, congregants

ALL the victims have been laid to rest, with theEswatiniFuneralPractitionersAssociation (EFPA) stepping in to ease the burden on bereaved families who were struggling to meet funeral costs. The four victims Bongiwe Phetsile Mkhonta, Samkelisiwe...

Cold to warm temperatures this weekend

TEMPERATURES will be cold to warm this weekend. This is according to weather information sourced from the Eswatini Meteorological Services. Today, there will be morning fog in places, otherwise it will be sunny and mild, but warm in the Lowveld....

Two other women victims identified

THOUGH the other two remaining victims of alleged murder accused Pastor Nkosingiphile Zwane had not been identified, yesterday police revealed their identities. They are Samukelisiwe Shabangu (35) of LaMgabhi, Bhunya, and Noncedo Mohale (29) of...

A demon took control, forcing me to kill - Pastor

THEpastorandcommunitypolice accused of raping and murdering four women has claimed that years of unresolved anger stemming from what he describes as personal betrayal and a previous rapeallegation,coupledwithwhat he referred to as a ‘demon’ overcame...

SA IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN:

(Pic: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

King meets Emaswati students in Cape Town

LEFT - His Majesty King Mswati III addressing Emaswati students during a courtesy luncheon in Cape Town as he concludes his schedule for the 9th SACU Summit of Heads of State and Government. RIGHT - Inkhosikati LaGija looking regal as she listens to...

Alcohol abuse high amongst youth

OVER a third of the local youth are classified as heavy alcohol consumers, a trend that is contributing to growing social challenges, including housebreaking and other forms of youth-related crime. These findings are contained in the Kingdom of...

EMCU drags PM to court

THE Eswatini Medical Christian University (EMCU) Council has approached the High Court on an urgent basis in a bid to stop Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini and members of the recently announced Commission of Enquiry from investigating the...

7 contractors local

SEVEN of the nine subcontractors currently engaged on the Central Bank of Eswatini's (CBE) E2.79 billion headquarters construction project, seven are locally registered companies, according to the bank. The list of subcontractors shows that...

ESCCOM funds depleted by headquarters project

THE Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) has blamed an 80% drop in its investments on the decision to use internal funds to build its new headquarters. Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday with other parastatals under...

‘It never crossed my mind’

“I never thought, let alone believed, that I would one day interpret for His Majesty King Mswati III. It was never even something I prayed about because it had simply never crossed my mind.” These were the heartfelt words of Tandzile Maziya, 32, of...

King urges Eswatini–Zambia to harness AfCFTA for growth

(Pics: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

Victims were trapped - Judge

A witness in the Goje Township shooting, which claimed the lives of four women, Thuli Mkhwanazi being comforted after she led High Court Judge Titus Mlangeni on an inspection in loco at the crime scene in Ezulwini yesterday. INSET - The accused, Vusi...

Fresh charges for alleged Mfabantfu serial rapist

A 47-year-old woman of Ngculwini was sentenced to two years imprisonment with a fine option of E2 000 for fraudulently misrepresenting her husband as deceased in a bid to claim burial benefits. Jabu Maseko-Kunene appeared before Senior Magistrate...

Kombi driver in fatal crash denied bail

1. Sipho Dumsani Dlamini who was involved in the tragic accident that claimed the life of a young woman and left several St Michael’s High School pupils critically injured, appeared in court yesterday and was denied bail. 2. Dlamini leaving the Manzini...

Minister Owen wishes for permanent teacher jobs

MINISTER of Education Owen Nxumalo says it is his wish to have all teachers employed on a permanent basis, rather than not on contracts or temporary terms. Nxumalo said he was aware of many qualified teachers working on contracts, something he said...

‘FACATA’ SCAM:

(Pics: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

Known entities smuggling maize into country – MP

LOBAMBA Lomdzala Member of Parliament Marwick Khumalo has alleged that there are people who are smuggling maize into the country, stating that he knows who they are. This was shared by the MP yesterday during the debate on the adoption of the...

Prince Sicalo Foundation spends E2m on vulnerable

THE distribution of food parcels by Prince Sicalo's Foundation at Timphisini Inkhundla turned into a special family meet and greet when the prince had an opportunity to meet his grandmother Gogo Matsebula during the event. Gogo Matsebula is the mother...

I will restore EPTC to its former glory – new MD

Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) Board Chairperson Kwanele Quinton Magagula, Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Savannah Maziya and incoming Managing Director of EPTC Thulani Fakudze at the ICT ministry...

MTN’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care targets 30 000 people

Residents of Hosea joined MTN Eswatini for the 21 Days of Y’ello Care 2026 launch. Themed ‘Expand Equitable Health for Every Community’, the initiative aims to reach over 30 000 people this year through healthcare. RIGHT MTN acting CEO Jerry Soko,...

Local police to meet Brazil counterparts Shock as father hangs children, himself

LOCAL investigators are set to meet their counterparts from Brazil to discuss matters relating to the over 150 Asian nationals who were arrested in the kingdom in connection to illegal online gambling. National Commissioner of Police Manoma Vusi...

Thank you for visiting Eswatini

THOUSANDS of travellers returning to their various destinations after the Bushfire Festival weekend found themselves trapped in hours-long traffic congestion at the Ngwenya Border Post yesterday. The traffic jam, which stretched for several kilometres...

King blesses Shembe church

Urges nation to grow closer to God Country blessed as Shembe visits all regions - King Lunyazi Lwezulu leaves after 2-week visit

Minister halts UNESWA reforms

AFTER months of promising steps towards transforming the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo has halted some processes resulting in a delay. The processes that have suddenly been stopped are a result of the...

BUSHFIRE TICKET FRENZY AS UNCLE WAFFLES LEADS BUZZ

AS excitement builds ahead of this year’s MTN Bushfire Festival, social media has been flooded with people buying and reselling tickets online. Some tickets are being sold at inflated prices. A review of Facebook posts and stories shows a growing...

Bushfire stage takes shape

The set-up of the main stage for the upcoming MTN Bushfire Festival is nearing completion. The annual event which attracts scores of funlovers from across the globe will be held at House on Fire in Malkerns over the weekend. (R) Camping tents have...

Minister appoints director as acting PS, US overlooked

THERE was confusion in Parliament yesterday when the ministry of tourism and environmental affairs appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) without a controlling officer, as former principal secretary Khangeziwe Mabuza was still not...

Over 100 baptised at Nazareth Baptist Church

Nazareth Baptist Church members were baptised during the church's Umgidi prayer held yesterday at Esabelweni in Bethany. INSET - A section of Shembe members being baptised at a river in Mahlanya.

‘Cabinet cleared double celebrations budget’

THE budget for the 40/58 double celebrations was formally presented to Cabinet, where it underwent rigorous scrutiny and review, Ministry of Home Affairs Principal Secretary Nhlanhla Nxumalo has said. This was shared by the PS yesterday in a press...

‘Nothing sinister with Lunyazi Lwezulu’s visit’

Boy (7) in tragic accidental hanging

A heartbreaking incident unfolded at Dlangeni on Monday afternoon when a seven-year-old boy accidentally hanged himself while playing a so called ‘hanging game’ with five other children. The victim Linemandla Gama, a Grade II learner at Ntfubeni...

MPs want ESCCOM probe

BARELY two months after the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) former chief executive Mvilawemphi Dlamini vacated office, a proposed motion has been registered to investigate a series of allegations involving the institution. The expected...

King invites oil company to invest in Eswatini

HIS Majesty King Mswati III yesterday invited State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and mining companies to invest in the kingdom. The king extended the invitation when he made a courtesy call to President Iiham Aliyev ahead of the...

World wants to know our secret - King

THE world is interested in knowing the secret that has seen Emaswati succeeding and overcoming challenges that other nations have failed to overcome. This was said by His Majesty King Mswati III who stated that Christians were doing wonders for the...

Live in peace with one another – King

HIS Majesty King Mswati III has called for unity and living in harmony with one another for prosperous development to take place. He said peace, stability and unity resulted in positive results and decisions taken when working in collaboration...

‘Eswatini small, but stable’

ALTHOUGH Eswatini may not be one of the largest countries in Africa, but it is stable under the leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III. This stability has positioned the kingdom as an important platform for African unity. This was said by Prince...

It’s back to full fare

We do not want them to feel robbed when we increase fares by E30 while we should only be adding E10 on the maximum hikes,” he said. Pressure Meanwhile, on Saturday Ministry of Public Works and Transport Principal Secretary Thulani Mkhaliphi said...

Ministry catches fire, suffers E15m damage

MINISTER of Finance Neal Rijkenburg says government is helping consumers cope with rising fuel prices through a fuel stabilisation mechanism which currently covers 25% of any fuel price increase. He explained that the support is calculated as a...

Palazzo delivers first big meet