Eswatini Observer

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

King commissions Starlink gateway

(Pic: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

‘Your leadership is remarkable’

President Lai says under His Majesty’s guidance, the country has achieved remarkable economic growth, social progress

It’s all systems go

IT’S all systems go tomorrow as the nation prepares to celebrate His Majesty King Mswati III’s 40-year reign and his 58th birthday at Somhlolo National Stadium with two presidents already confirming their attendance. The leaders of Botswana and...

Nation ready for double celebration

AS the nation gets ready to celebrate His Majesty King Mswati III’s 58th birthday and 40 years on the throne, Chief Jozane of KaLanga has hailed the king for what he described as a transformative legacy of infrastructure development and international...

Hhohho RA honours king’s 4 decades of steadfast leadership

AS the Hhohho region prepares to host the double celebration marking His Majesty King Mswati’s 40-year reign and 58th birthday on Friday, Hhohho Regional Administrator Princess Tsandzile says the four decades of steadfast leadership stand as a...

UNESWA workers warn of no-show over salary delay

(Pic: Lucky Simelane)

Turkish school probed for trafficking

A Turkish school based in Manzini is currently the subject of a highlevel investigation following allegations of human trafficking involving its pupils. The probe stems from a suspicious 2023 incident at Mhlaleni, where police intercepted a vehicle...

‘I wanted to kill more’

THE woman who was arrested for murder and attempted murder of her boyfriend's two children has revealed shocking details of how she intended to kill six children and then commit suicide after she was summoned by the police. Mavis Philile Gama (28) of...

Speaker praises king ahead of celebrations

WITH preparations for the Ruby Jubilee celebrations scheduled for next week gaining momentum, House of Assembly Speaker Jabulani Mabuza has praised His Majesty King Mswati III. Speaking during the opening of the stakeholder meeting on advancing...

Taiwan President for celebrations

TAIWAN President Lai Ching-te will be in the country next week to attend the national celebrations marking His Majesty King Mswati III’s 40 years on the Throne and his 58th birthday. The visit was confirmed by Taiwan’s presidential office, with...

‘US DEPORTEES HAVE RIGHT TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION’

THE Supreme Court has delivered a judgment affirming the right of deported foreign nationals held in the country to access legal representation, dismissing an appeal brought by His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS). The ruling upholds an earlier...

DON’T TALK BAD ABOUT INVESTORS - SAVANNAH

(Pic: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

WE WERE JUST A FRONT - ARRESTED DIRECTORS

THE Africa Evangelical Church (AEC) issued a strongly-worded public notice warning of legal action against individuals accused of intimidation, harassment and unlawful conduct linked to the Ekuthokozeni dispute. In the notice dated March 31, 2026, AEC...

2 EMASWATI BUSTED WITH US DOLLARS WORTH E10M

Public endorses same-sex stance

WHILE a wave of mixed reactions has emerged on Facebook following recent remarks by His Majesty King Mswati III on samesex relationships, many have given thumbs up to the stance. This was after His Majesty’s reaffirmation of the country’s stance on...

FIVE E10M CARS UP FOR GRABS UP IN ROYAL EXPO RAFFLE

Princess Sikhanyiso and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo ringing the bell marking the official launch of the Royal Signature Expo 2026 and Premium Raffle Draw at ERS Headquarters in Ezulwini yesterday. The launch brought...

FUEL CRISIS HITS COUNTRY

The country has been hit by a wave of panic buying, with motorists flocking to filling stations, amid fears of an impending fuel shortage. Long queues, erratic supply deliveries and empty pumps have created a tense atmosphere, raising concerns about...

GOOGLE DEAL WAS VETTED, CLEARED FOR CABINET - AG

ATTORNEY General (AG) Sifiso Khumalo says his office reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the country has with Google, vetted it and cleared it for Cabinet consideration. Khumalo was responding to questions from senators, who had...

KING HAILED FOR E255M OACPS FUNDS RESCUE

His Majesty King Mswati III applauds at the closing session of the 11th OACP Summit of Heads of State and government held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. His Majesty was praised for his leadership as a resource mobilisation champion for the organisation.

PM advised to rein in ministers in Cabinet spat

SENATE President Lindiwe Dlamini has advised the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini to assume his position as the leader in Cabinet. She reminded him that Cabinet was a highlevel political organ that is supposed to inspire confidence in the nation....

FSRA CHAIR SURETY IN ASIANS’ CASTLE HOTEL LEASE

FSRA CHAIR SURETY IN ASIANS’ CASTLE HOTEL LEASE

2 WEEKS LATER, STILL NO HOME AFFAIRS ARRESTS

• Despite intensified operation that has resulted in the number of arrested foreign nationals rising to approximately 233, there is no breakthrough in suspects behind issuance of crucial national documents • Locals employed in operation sites allege...

Over 50 Asian nationals arrested at Madlenya House

50 MORE ARRESTED Arrests bring number of foreigners apprehended in connection with illegal gambling to over 200

Highest paid govt supplier gets E7 000, disappointed

GOVERNMENT suppliers have cried foul over following a week of broken promises regarding government payments. Despite recent assurances from the ministry of finance that the arrival of E800 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development would...

Syndicate facing 168 charges, found with E708 000 cash

THE accused in the illegal gambling bust are facing a total of 168 charges. This transpired during their appearance before the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court where they were joined by the illegal operation’s alleged kingpin Lyu Tao. Tao is suspected of...

KINGPIN IDENTIFIED, FACES 5 CHARGES

FOLLOWING the arrest of 85 foreign nationals at the Castle Hotel in Mbabane, investigators have reportedly identified the alleged kingpin behind the suspected international online gambling and fraud syndicate. Highly-placed sources revealed that the...

SAVANNAH WAS NEVER FIRED - PM

● Says challenges arise when inaccurate information is deliberately circulated, creating misunderstandings and undermining unity ● Says vote of no confidence can be passed, but after demonstration that failure in service delivery is attributable to...

I WAS FIRED - MINISTER SAVANNAH

• Tells MPs she was dismissed from her position by the PM • Also reveals Attorney General’s intervention kept her in office as he provided critical legal guidance • Recounts two years of torture and how hard it is for her to work under the current...

King opens E2m Stabilisation Centre

His Majesty King Mswati III officially opened the country’s first road crash victim Stabilisation Centre at Mshinande, Mshingishingini, which he christened 'Esicancweni Setemphilo.' The king also christened the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team...

POLITICIANS TO PAY BACK E2M

POLITICIANS TO PAY BACK E2M

Credibility of budget being a national budget challenged

LOBAMBA Lomdzala Member of Parliament Marwick Khumalo says the credibility of the budget as a national budget is being challenged. Khumalo said this when moving for the adoption of the committee report in Parliament. He said ministers, who are part of...

GOVT EVACUATES 25 EMASWATI FROM UAE

Government has successfully repatriated 25 Emaswati who were stranded in the war-torn Gulf region following His Majesty King Mswati III’s order for the evacuation. This comes as the Gulf region is currently experiencing a major conflict as United...

FINALLY...

(Pic: Lucky Simelane)

Govt car rentals rise by 12.2% to E85.7m

DESPITE government investing over E490 million in purchasing a new fleet, rental expenditure increased by 12.2% in the last financial year. This is according to a report by Auditor General Timothy Matsebula, which was tabled in Parliament on Friday by...

POWER TRIP: MPS WANT CONTROL

THE House of Assembly’s finance committee has recommended that the approval for officia parliamentary travel be vested in the presiding officers; that is the speaker and Senate president. This suggestion is in the committee’s report which was tabled...

PM, ICT minister appear before Senate

IT was business as usual for Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini and Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Savannah Maziya yesterday as they appeared before the Senate. They were the only Cabinet ministers who had business during the...

No tariff hike expected - MPs

MPs say His Majesty’s directive is clear: electricity must remain affordable, vow to ensure king’s guidance is implemented to protect households from tariff increases Parly emphasises king’s advice that govt must work with EEC to solve financial...

‘I WILL FIGHT TO END DRUG SHORTAGES’

MINISTER of Health Mduduzi Matsebula has vowed to fight to end the drug shortage affecting public health facilities in the kingdom. He emphasised that he would be taking His Majesty King Mswati III’s guidance to government and the health sector “as...

ID SERVICES RESUME, MANZINI ROLL OUT FALLS SHORT

Long queues were witnessed at the ministry of home affairs headquarters in Mbabane yesterday as over 150 people turned up to process their national identity documents following the official restoration of ID services. However, frustration mounted among...

MPS WARN CABINET: NO MORE EXCUSES

SOME members of the Legislature have vowed to hold government accountable by ensuring that the Nkwe spirit applies in resolving the issues that His Majesty King Mswati III touched on when delivering his Speech from the Throne. The legislators were...

KING RECEIVES ROYAL ENVOY FROM SAUDI ARABIA

His Majesty King Mswati III received a special envoy from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, represented by Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Eswatini Faisal bin Falah Al Harbi. He was tasked with...

Public awaits good news

AS the nation prepares for the opening of the Third Session of the 12th Parliament tomorrow, the public awaits good news from His Majesty King Mswati III’s Speech from the Throne, hoping for solutions to pressing national challenges. While the nation...

4 IN COURT FOR ALLEGED MURDER

Tshepo Bright Kgaledi’s alleged killers; Mduduzi Maziya, Mndeni Mbuyisa, Fana Bheki Shongwe and Lomaswati Dlamini during their first court appearance before Siteki Principal Magistrate Musa Nxumalo yesterday. Kgaledi (inset), who worked at a gambling...

PM calls for Cabinet unity again

● Premier urges ministers to put aside divisions and work collectively as one government and one team, stressing the need for unity in pursuit of national goals ● Acknowledges challenges faced in 2025, insisting that only decisive and disciplined...

WOMAN (22) BRUTALLY KILLED FOR ENDING AFFAIR

LIZINYANE SHARES CANCER SURVIVAL STORY

Princess Mchelewebukhosi yesterday shared a moving testimony of resilience and hope after successfully overcoming cancer, a journey she described as both challenging and life-changing. She was speaking during the launch of the Eswatini Childhood Cancer...

100 contract teachers

MORE than 100 contract teachers in the Manzini region have been left devastated after being informed that their contracts would not be renewed when they reported to the regional education office (REO) to collect their posting letters yesterday. The...

Relief for consumers as fuel prices decrease

RELIEF for consumers as the ministry of natural resources and energy announces a significant decrease in fuel prices. The ministry said the prices of Unleaded Petrol, Diesel 50ppm S and Illuminating Paraffin would decrease by 70 cents per litre. The...

Woman (32) shot twice, killed by admirer (67)

A 32-year-old woman of Mvembili has been shot dead, allegedly by her 67-year-old admirer. Mother of two, Thobile Dlamini was shot twice in the head by the pensioner who is now behind bars. Sourced claimed that the incident occurred around 5:30pm on...

Stakeholders should have been engaged

PARENTS say all critical education stakeholders should have been engaged on the rollout of the CBE in secondary schools. They said situation currently on the ground was disappointing because they hadpaid for their children’s schools fees yet there...

ANNUAL CLEANSING CEREMONY

(Pic: Lucky Simelane)

COMMUNITY DIVIDED ON ZAMA ZAMA RAIDS

On Sunday, morning fog is likely in some places. Skies will be mostly cloudy with occasional clear intervals and temperatures will be cool in highland areas but warm to hot in the lowveld. Scattered thunderstorms and rainshowers are also expected in...