Eswatini Observer

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

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...