Eswatini Observer

King calls for seed investment in Africa

(Pics: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

Civil servants can borrow again NatCom probes cop's dramatic court escape

THEgovernment system that had disrupted the processing of new loans for civil servants has been restored, allowing some financial institutions to resume processing applications. Affected civil servants said they were eventually able to access loans...

Allegations into TLC probe, handling of deceased bodies

AMONGthe matters challengedwere alleged unfair labour practices, fees charged to patients, the E50 million government subsidy, the memorandum of understanding between government and TLC, handling of deceased bodies, medicines and drugs, registration of...

Lesotho shaped regional political, economic landscape - King

His Majesty King Mswati III addressing thousands of dignitaries and citizens gathered at Setsoto Stadium for Lesotho’s 60th Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The king reaffirmed the deep, historical friendship uniting the monarchies of Eswatini and Lesotho...

EL NIÑO THREAT:

Bawethu Sithole - State Photographer) (Pics:

DEPUTY SHERIFF FOUND GUILTY:

(Pics: Lucky Simelane)

State memorial, funeral dates set for Princess Lindiwe 3 FAMILYMEMBERS AMONG6 DEAD

GOVERNMENThas announced theofficialprogrammeforMinister ofHomeAffairsPrincessLindiwe’s State memorial and funeral. According to the announcement released yesterday, the memorial servicewill be held on Friday at the Jesus Calls Worship Centre in...

FSRA clears insurers on rejected claims

THE Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) says licensed insurers in the country have remained within international benchmarks regarding rejected insurance claims over the past three years. FSRA Chief Executive Officer Ncamiso Ntshalintshali...

PMcalls for national leadership transformation

(Pics: Mduduzi Mngometulu)

Govt confirms Minister Princess Lindiwe’s death

MINISTERofHomeAffairs Princess Lindiwe has passed on following an illness. She is one of King Sobhuza II’s daughters born from Inkhosikati LaMgunundu, who was known as naboElizabeth. She was sister to Prince Guduza, the late Prince Hlangusemphi,...

Govt commits E500 000 for CJ’s State funeral

Acting DPM assures CJ’s family of govt backing; praises Maphalala for his service to the nation

HMCS probes alleged Mthandeni audio

(Pics: Lucky Simelane)

PACs urged to track benefits to citizens

(Pic: Mduduzi Mngomezulu)

2026 Umhlanga ends on a high note

Enthusiastic Imbali in full swing yesterday at Mbangweni Royal Residence as they dance during the second leg of Umhlanga Reed Dance 2026 Shiselweni Edition. This year’s Umhlanga ended on a high note as throngs of Imbali both around the country and...

AG asks Supreme Court to dismiss ACC investigator’s appeal

THE attorney general (AG) has asked the SupremeCourt todeem an appeal by Anti-Corruption Commission ( ACC) Assistant Investigator Bonginkhosi Dlamini abandoned, citing his failure to file heads of argument and correct the record before the scheduled...

PM, Senate tour key govt facilities

PRIME Minister ( PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini and the Prime Minister’s Office Senate Portfolio Committee yesterday toured major government facilities in Matsapha, including the oxygen plant and the national waste management plant. The tour formed part of...

It’s back to school

Mbuluzi High pupils making their way into the school’s premises for this year's third term as per the school’s calendar, yesterday. Pupils will be taking their final term that ends in December.

ENPF wins big at EITF Excellence Awards 2026

The Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) was recognised as the winner of the Non-Banking Financial Institutions at the Eswatini International Trade Fair Excellence Awards 2026. Themed, ‘Unlocking Green Economic Opportunities for Sustainable Trade...

EL NIÑO THREAT:

LOCALShave been warned to brace for above-normal temperatures in the coming months as the El Niño weatherphenomenonisalreadyunderway. El Niño is expected to reach its peak between October and December. ThewarningwasissuedbyMeteorologist...

Idid not force Emaswati out ofSA

SOUTHAfrican activist Nkosikhona ‘Phakelumthakathi’ Ndabandaba has dismissed claims that he forced people out of South Africa, insisting he does not know where such accusations originate and urging anyone making them to provide evidence. This was said...

Springing into 60...

BEHIND EswatiniBank's six-decade journey are generations of employees who have served customers, developed products, managed operations and helped the institution navigate changing times. As the bank marked its 60th anniversary, Managing Director...

Embattled Alpheous gets his salary

EMBATTLED Alpheous Mfana Nxumalo has finally been paid his salary after the matter dragged for approximately nine months. This is contained in an application he filed before the High Court seeking the release of his passport after his long-running...

Widows risk losing permits

WIDOWS in the public transport sector have been warned against handing over their operating permits to boyfriends. This warning comes amid concerns that some men allegedly disappear after securing control of the permits, leaving the women and their...

UMHLANGA2026DAYTWO:

(Pics: Lucky Simelane)

Imbali out in numbers

HUNDREDSof Imbali from all four regions of the country turned up at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence as this year’s Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony kicked off. The maidens arrived mostly in buses escorted by police, successfully registered, marking the...

‘Price of electricity must be maintained or reduced’ E105mcanal upgrade80% complete

MINISTERof NaturalResources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela says electricity tariffs should be reviewed, maintained or reduced as the kingdom invests in domestic generation to ease reliance on costly imports. Speaking during a tour of the Lower Maguduza...

Magistrates call for SODV Act amendment

Magistrates call for SODVAct amendment

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...