Times of Eswatini

REPORTED MISSING IN HOME COUNTRIES

MBABANE – Families of the arrested foreign nationals are worried as some of them had been reported missing in their home countries. This was disclosed by their attorney, Linda Dlamini of Linda Dlamini and Associates during their second remand...

KINGPIN ARRESTED

‘Tiger’ found with gadgets, including speed point Home Affairs vows crackdown as 94 arrests ‘tip of iceberg’ Says 1 000 China citizens could be in country illegally MANZINI – Police officers prepare to take the serial rapist to hospital after he was...

PM APPOINTS SADC UNIVERSITY BOARD

MBABANE – The Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini has appointed and commissioned the SADC University of Transformation Board. The Board will be chaired by Dr Simanga Alex Tsela. Other members are Professor Innocent Msibi (Vice Chairperson), Dr...

BUGANU CEREMONY ENDS ON HIGH NOTE:

HLANE – This year’s Buganu Ceremony concluded on a high note, with Bayes’khulu raising the standard during kutsamba. Bayesikhulu is the regiment of royalty. The first to take the stage from Bayesikhulu was Inkhosikati LaMahlangu, who transformed the...

RELATIVE COLLAPSES, DIES DURING SEARCH...

MBABANE – Welcome Makiri Magagula (in Adidas sweater), who stands accused of the murder of his sister and niece at Ntsintsa, Dlangeni, being escorted by police officers after his remand hearing at the Mbabane Magistrates Court yesterday.

KING’S 40-YEAR REIGN CELEBRATION REHEARSALS UNDERWAY ...

LOBAMBA – Pupils from different schools across the country dancing while parading the national flag during rehearsals for the upcoming celebration of His Majesty King Mswati III’s 40 years of reign at Somhlolo National stadium yesterday.

UN treaty for Chinese fugitive’s extradition

MBABANE – Should the Kingdom of Eswatini proceed with the extradition of the Chinese businessman who is wanted in his home country, the process is likely to rely on the principle of reciprocity or the United Nations Convention against Transnational...

THIS IS ‘FACATA’ - MPs TELL ERS

LOBAMBA – Stop it now! The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) has received strong criticism from Member of Parliament (MPs) regarding the implementation of strict requirements for the Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC). In fact, some of the MPs have...

JERICHO CLEANSING A SUCCESS DESPITE TRAGIC ACCIDENT

RICHARDS BAY – The Jericho Church in Zion, under Archbishop Dr Bhekibandla Vilakati, held a successful cleansing ceremony in Richards Bay, South Africa over the weekend. Vilakati conveyed condolences to the families of the members of the church who...

TOURISM MINISTER LAUNCHES E2m ENVIRONMENT FUND:

HHUKWINI – Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Simelane with community leaders during the official handover of the ‘Planting for the Future’ project at Hhukwini Inkhundla yesterday. The minister also announced that government has set...

US-IRAN WAR: 25 STRANDED EMASWATI REPATRIATED FROM UAE

SIKHUPHE – A safe return home. Following a direct command from His Majesty King Mswati III, 25 emaSwati arrived at King Mswati III International Airport yesterday evening from the UAE. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign...

ESWATINIBANK’S E570m BOOST FOR MSMEs

MANZINI – EswatiniBank has disbursed over E570 million to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country, reaffirming its role in driving entrepreneurial growth and inclusive economic development. Speaking at the EswatiniBank...

DREAM COME TRUE: FROM STICK-AND-MUD TO E350k HOUSE

Mlulami Dlamini in front of his double-storey before it was officially opened by the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Thulisile Dladla, yesterday. The project, described as a ‘First World’ structure, was completed at a total cost of E350 000. (INSET) DPM...

AYASIKISA EMAGABAZI!

HOPE arrived at Lavundlamanti High School this week as Eswatini Mobile stepped in to clear E5 000 worth of school fees for a vulnerable Form III pupil and provided a brand new full school uniform. The gesture formed part of the company’s ongoing...

BUDGET EXPECTED TO FAVOUR CONSUMERS

Align with Speech from Throne, stop drugs shortage Avoid new taxes, boost social grants, renewable energy

EMBRACE GRAND PLAN, AIM HIGH – PRIME MINISTER

EZULWINI – Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini makes his remarks during the opening of the Grand Plan engagement with advisory councils yesterday. The PM urged the nation to embrace the Grand Plan for National Transformation, saying modest...

MOST WANTED CHINESE ARRESTED IN ESWATINI

MBABANE – Chinese businessman Jin Houyun outside the Mbabane Magistrates Court yesterday.

CABINET’S OVER 30 RESOLUTIONS

To end shortage of drugs, eradicate foot-and-mouth disease by December Food self-sufficiency by 2030, national mining company by next year 500km tarred roads, new mobile payment gateway by 2028

1ST LEG OF BUGANU FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED:

LUDZIDZINI – Minister for Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe (3rd L seated) and Indvuna Dezeliwe Ndwandwe (4th L seated) flanked by Lutsango during the annunciation of the first leg of Buganu Festival at Ludzidzini Royal Residence yesterday.

SAUDI ARABIA SPECIAL ENVOY MEETS KING

LOZITHA- His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday received a special envoy from His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, and His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (RIGHT) Upon arrival, the special envoy was received by the...

2-YEAR SHELF-LIFE MEAT EXPOSED ...

PIGG’S PEAK – A total of 10 out of 57 shops inspected during a five-hour public health operation in Pigg’s Peak yesterday were found to be non-compliant and subsequently charged for various violations. (INSET) Livers which were found in one shop had a...

UEDF INTERCEPTS LIVESTOCK, DAGGA WORTH OVER E244 000

MBABANE – The members of Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) have intercepted 25 goats and dagga worth more than E244 000 in separate border operations. The army further raised concern over persistent livestock and cannabis smuggling. The army said...

5 COURT CLERKS ARRESTED

MBABANE – When reports first emerged about fraudulent court documents and missing files, the Judiciary vowed to leave no stone unturned in rooting out the culprits. What initially appeared to be isolated incidents has now evolved into a far-reaching...

PM JOINS LEADERS ON FINAL DAY OF AU SUMMIT

ADDIS ABABA – At a high-level Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) forum convened on the margins of the African Union Summit, the Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela, set out an ambitious vision for strengthening water...

2ND ATTACK ON BANKS IN 3 DAYS

● Police arrest one, hunt for second suspect ● Thugs only flee with laptop

PM JETS OFF TO AU SUMMIT, GLOBAL COUNCIL

Prime Minister Russell Dlamini with (L-R) Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu, Minister for Information, Communication and Technology Savannah Maziya and Minister for Natural Resources and Energy Prince...

SA men stab kombi driver in road rage

MBABANE – A routine drive through Hutch nearly ended in tragedy after a road rage incident escalated into a violent confrontation that left a man seriously injured and two South African nationals facing attempted murder charges. Two South African men,...

INSIDE JOB IN OVER E2m THEFT

MBABANE – Cunning thieves breached the security at the EswatiniBank, Manzini Branch and stole over E2 million in an early morning heist yesterday. The theft of the E2 million is said to have started at about 11pm on Sunday when a security guard at the...

CRACKDOWN ON EXPIRED FOOD, UNFAIR COMPETITION:

NHLANGANO - Officials from the Nhlangano Town Council, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and the Royal Eswatini Police Service inspecting a shop at KaLaNkhosi Complex last week. The operation led to the seizure of expired stock, some of...

STICK-AND-MUD DOUBLE STOREY: MLULAMI HAPPY WITH NEW HOUSE

Mlulami Dlamini’s old double-storey house which he was occupying while the new house was being constructed. (RIGHT) The current state of Mlulami’s double-storey house at Magele in Hlatikhulu. The building is not yet finished, he reported that several...

ZAMA ZAMAS CONFISCATED EQUIPMENT ...

PIGG’S PEAK – Senior Investigator Assistant Commissioner Clement Sihlongonyane having a feel of the home-made tools that were used by the illegal miners to crush big stones and soil with gold particles. Looking on is Deputy Police Information and...

AFRICA MUST PRODUCE OWN VACCINES - HEALTH MINISTERS

EZULWINI – Africa’s most dangerous disease threats are no longer lurking only in hospitals or remote villages; they are moving silently along the continent’s busiest highways. This was the sobering reality presented at the opening of the 76th East,...

‘DD’ OFFENDERS FINED NOT MORE THAN E800

MBABANE – Motorists convicted of drink-driving across the country were yesterday fined significantly lower amounts. At the Shiselweni Magistrates Court, drink-driving offenders were yesterday ordered to pay fines ranging from E500 to E600, marking a...

JERICHO CHURCH CLEANSING: FINANCES DISCLOSED …

Members of the Melika Jericho Church in Zion gathered for cleansing inside the Manganganeni Sacred Dam yesterday morning. The church’s financial report was read ahead of the cleansing ceremony. (INSET) Lugogo from Simunye turned heads with his unique...

BITTERSWEET CONTRACTS FOR OVER 1 200 TEACHERS

Over 1 200 contract teachers from both primary and high schools gathered at the Mater Dolorosa High School Hall to get their posting letters and have their contracts renewed. While the renewal of contracts has brought relief to schools and learners,...

ZAMA ZAMAS FLEE AS COPS RAID MINES

PIGG’S PEAK – The Royal Eswatini Police Service ( REPS) has intensified its high- tactical operation against illegal mining by diving deep into known mining hotspots. The REPS has launched a high- tactical operation targeting illegal mining activities...

BID TO STOP MZUTHINI’S WEDDING: It was to cause chaos - court

MBABANE – Judge Bongani Dlamini says by coming court on the actual first day of the Mzuthini Ntshangase’s traditional wedding, his wife, Nothando, intended to disrupt and cause chaos to the traditional ceremony. This, the judge said, in the written...

LISWATI PUPIL TOPS SADC IN IEB MATRIC EXAMS ...

Enjabulweni Independent School pupil, Ncedile Lindelwe Sigwane, has brought pride to the kingdom after topping the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) Matric examinations. Lindelwe (L) with her...

INGAJA SMILE ALL THE WAY TO ATMs:

LOBAMBA – As the sun rose over Mdzimba Mountain, warriors were already queuing at the automated teller machines (ATMs) to withdraw their allowances at the Gables in Ezulwini. The allowances, known as timbasha, were initiated by His Majesty King Mswati...

SCHOOLS STATIONERY DISTRIBUTION BEGINS NATIONWIDE

PIGG’S PEAK – With the reopening of schools next Tuesday, at least 73 primary schools from northern Hhohho have collected stationery from the REO. The collection follows the successful delivery of supplies by the Ministry of Education and Training....

BUSINESSMAN COORDINATED, FINANCED TERRORISM

MBABANE – Police investigations have uncovered evidence that businessman Zweli Welile Dlamini was allegedly financing terrorism activities. The businessman is alleged to have been coordinating with underground operatives and maintaining constant...

INGAJA EXCITED ABOUT ROYAL DUTIES

NGABEZWENI – Indvuna Finyeza Mncina believes that the recent rains were a sign of divine approval for the ongoing annual Incwala Ceremony. Mncina explained that the rain was an indication that God was moved from Heaven. Worth noting is that emaSwati...

RISE IN HOURLY ROOM RENTALS; COPS ROPED IN

EZULWINI – Police have been drawn into a growing dispute in the hospitality sector after operators of hotels, lodges and guesthouses raised the alarm over the proliferation of unregistered hourly accommodation. Formal operators argue that unregistered...

PM PRAISES INYATSI FOR E1 BILLION TAXES ...

MBABANE – In a tone that blended admiration with challenge, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini threw a rhetorical question that echoed through the hall: “If not Inyatsi, then who?” His words were not merely praise, but a bold affirmation of confidence in...

LOCAL FARMERS HIT HARD AS: ESWATINI LOSES EU A-GRADE BEEF EXPORT MARKET

● Results of government’s failure to contain FMD outbreak on time ● Eswatini meat rating downgraded, two years to regain A-grade status

SURPRISE GIFTS AFTER BURNING OF LOG:

INCWALA ENDS ON HIGH NOTE

LUDZIDZINI - His Majesty King Mswati III enters the cattle byre for the main Incwala Ceremony. The sacred event brought thousands of emaSwati together to celebrate the first fruit of harvest inside the Ludzidzini cattle byre.

INCWALA CEREMONY

DAY 1: COMMISSIONING OF TINGATJA: Unmarried male youths set off from Ngabezweni Royal Residence and march over 50km to cut branches of the sacred shrub (lusekwane) under the light of the full moon, accompanied by Libutfo. DAY 2: DELIVERY OF LUSEKWANE:...

INGAJA DELIVER LUSEKWANE

LUDZIDZINI - His Majesty King Mswati III inspects quality lusekwane before it was delivered inside the Ludzidzini Cattle Byre. The King spent about seven hours teaching Ingaja the Incwala song and dance before the delivery of lusekwane. (INSET) Prince...

KING COMMISSIONS HHOHHO INGAJA ...

BUHLENI - His Majesty King Mswati III dancing Incabakancofula before commissioning the regiment from Hhohho at Buhleni Royal Residence yesterday. (INSET) Libutfo from the Hhohho Region was yesterday commissioned by His Majesty King Mswati III to...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!*

● Don’t waste a crisis. Now is the time to grab hold of emerging opportunities. Listen to what your customers are saying, what they need and how you can best serve and help them. ● Ensure your vision is realistic. Clarity on your vision is critical....

BITTER-SWEET RESULTS

MBABANE – The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General, Lot Vilakati, says they are not surprised by the high number of learners who were graded Insufficient. According to the Eswatini Primary School Assessment (EPSA)...

20 MORE WANTED FOR TERRORISM

MBABANE – The investigation into the businessman allegedly linked to a planned attack on Incwala Ceremony attendees has led to a search for his reported accomplices within the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces. The Royal Eswatini Police...

LITTLE INCWALA EXPECTED TO MOVE TO BUHLENI

MBANGWENI - His Majesty King Mswati III leading the regiment on the ninth day of the ongoing Little Incwala Ceremony at Mbangweni Royal Residence yesterday.

HAPPY BOXING DAY!

EVERYBODY loves Boxing Day — unless you work in retail. It’s the calmer of the three Christmas days and there is always plenty of food. Plus, it’s a bank holiday! For as long as anyone can remember we’ve all enjoyed the day, but why do we celebrate...

MERRY XMAS

CHRISTMAS is important as a major Christian holiday celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth, symbolising God’s love, hope and salvation, while also serving as a global cultural event focused on family, generosity, traditions like gift-giving, feasting and...

JC PASS RATE DROPS

MBABANE – The Junior Certificate (JC) examination results have recorded a slight decrease of 1.08 per cent compared to last year. This was revealed by the Minister for Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, during a press engagement yesterday at the...

GOVT RESCUES STORM-AFFECTED FAMILIES - E76M NEEDED

NKAMANZI - The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Chief Executive Officer, Victor Mahlalela, says government needs approximately E76 million to respond to the aftermath of the devastating storm that recently hit the country. He revealed this...

FARMERS CALL FOR MASS VACCINATION

Nationwide exercise to cost at least E62m - minister Farmers willing to contribute amid cash flow challenges

DRAMA AS KOMBI DRIVERS DEFY PARKING BAN:

SITEKI – Kombi operators leaving the ‘No Parking Zone’ by the Galp Filling Station, headed towards the bus rank after being summoned by the Lubombo Kombi Association. (INSET) Kombi operators in a brief meeting with the Lubombo Kombi Association and...

POTHOLE CAUSES NASTY HEAD-ON COLLISION

HHELEHHELE: An undisclosed number of people survived a freak accident which involved two trucks, including this horse and trailer truck and a Toyota Quantum yesterday at Hambok, along the Hhelehhele/Ngculwini Public Road, after a head-on collision. The...

EMULATE ESWATINI’S PRINCIPLE OF ‘ANGINASITSA’ - PM

MBABANE- Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has urged nations to emulate Eswatini’s foundational principle of ‘Anginasitsa – I have no enemy’ as declared by His Majesty King Sobhuza II. The prime minister said this when delivering a speech on behalf...

INMATES: LAWYERS RIPPING US OFF

MBABANE – A growing number of inmates have accused some lawyers of taking payments for legal services and disappearing without representing them. Many of the affected inmates and other accused persons claim that the lawyers take their money but fail...

CRUISE SCAM: 8 CHARGES, E87 000 BAIL FOR ACCUSED

MANZINI – The woman at the centre of the luxury boat-cruise scam has made her first formal court appearance, facing eight counts of theft by false pretences Thandeka Mamba (33) of Mangwaneni, Mbabane, appeared before Manzini Principal Magistrate David...

UBOMBO SUGAR, INDIAN CONTRACTOR SIGN E850M POWER DEAL

MBABANE - Ubombo Sugar Limited Managing Director Muzi Siyaya (R) signing the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract with ISGEC Heavy Engineering Limited Chief International Marketing Officer Yogesh Marwah at the Hilton Garden Inn yesterday....

MANKAYANE GOVT HOSPITAL CLOSED INDEFINITELY

MANKAYANE - Mankayane Government Hospital staff members assessing the damage in the affected departments after part of the health facility was ravaged by fire on Sunday night. Some patients had to be evacuated to nearby health facilities. RIGHT: One of...

WANTED: LOCK YOUR DOORS THIS FESTIVE!

MANZINI - The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is looking for at least 21 people, including 11, who are on the police wanted list and 10 missing persons. This is according to information sourced from the REPS official Facebook page, which was...

E6M HOUSES FOR MBONDZELA EVICTEES

MBONDZELA – A long-standing land dispute that led to the eviction of several families from Mbondzela Farm in 2024 has taken a hopeful turn. This follows the official handover of two newly-constructed houses to displaced families this week by Minister...

MBABANE

- Public Health Inspector Mlungisi Jele inspecting food items in one of the shops in Mbabane yesterday. RIGHT: A landfi ll employee offl oading the expired and damaged food items from a Municipal Council of Mbabane vehicle at the Mpolonjeni Landfi ll...

17 BANK WORKERS STRANDED IN DURBAN

MANZINI - Seventeen bank employees were left stranded in Durban after being defrauded E131 000 by a woman who had promised them a luxury boat cruise. The group had paid the full amount for the trip and travelled to Durban, where they expected to board...

SCRAMBLE FOR FAMOUS MUSLIM PREACHER

EZULWINI - There was a scramble to touch and take pictures of Mufti Menk (inset), the globally celebrated Zimbabwe-born Muslim preacher and motivational speaker, during his visit to Ezulwini Islamic Institute yesterday.

NO RECORD OF MATLALA INVITE

MBABANE – The King’s Office has dismissed claims by South African entrepreneur Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala that he was invited to the King’s Birthday celebrations. The tenderpreneur, who stands accused of attempted murder, made these claims during his...

KOMBI CAUSES PILE-UP

NKAMANZI – Anger gripped Nkamanzi residents on Tuesday night, culminating in the damage of a motor vehicle belonging to suspects accused of several shop break-ins in the area. The incident is reported to have occurred around 11:30pm at Nkamanzi, in...