Times of Eswatini

We will not give in to pressure

New rule for cars entering SA

MBABANE - The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will strictly enforce a new customs rule requiring all drivers of foreign-registered vehicles to complete a mandatory temporary importation declaration before entering the country. This is effective...

King has clear plan for Eswatini’s development

Happy Workers’ Day

THE overall lesson of May Day comes from socialist activists seeking improvement in working conditions. The belief is that unless workers stand up for themselves, they will be exploited by businesses, so they must protest peacefully for better pay,...

3 African countries face US sanctions

Mpaka ATM bombing suspects in court ...

MANZINI – Accused Dumisani Goodman Ngubane, Arnaldo Mapswanganhe and Lethukuthula Hlongwa appear before Magistrate Khumalo at the Manzini Magistrates Court during the Mpaka ATM bombing trial proceedings yesterday.

His Majesty commissions Starlink gateway ...

MBABANE – His Majesty King Mswati III commissioned Starlink gateway at Dwaleni yesterday. Speaking through Prince Sicalo, the King said the fast Starlink internet will now be accessible in all parts of Eswatini without the need for towers and cables.

King Mswati III exemplary Monarch - African kings

Hailstorm hits over 1 400 people

• Over 289 homes, schools damaged • Hhohho, Lubombo regions worst hit • Urgent need for aid

Doors are open for talks - govt

BULANDZENI – Three vulnerable families who once slept in leaking huts now have safe shelter, thanks to a church-led housing drive unveiled yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla officially handed over the newly built houses at Ndzingeni...

OVER E18m, 251 CATTLE FOR TETFULO

LOZITHA – Montigny Group presents E2 million towards tetfulo. Montigny Investments and Inyatsi Group jointly injected E3.5 million into the tetfulo as over E18 million gifts were presented to His Majesty the King.

KING WELCOMES TAIWAN SECURITY CHIEF

(FAR L) His Majesty King Mswati III welcomed Director General of the National Security Bureau of Taiwan, Ming-Yen Tsai on Wednesday where Tsai conveyed a congratulatory message from His Excellency President Lai Ching-te on the King’s 40 years on the...

40/58 REHEARSALS GATHER PACE ...

LOBAMBA - Drum majorettes in full swing at Somhlolo National Stadium, as rehearsals for the upcoming 40/58 double celebration intensified, bringing together culture, discipline and national pride in a show of unity and love for the King.

PSUs TO JOIN LEADERS IN PUSH FOR SALARY NOTCHING

MANZINI – Civil servants during a meeting held at the SNAT Centre yesterday, where union members were briefed on the outcome of Monday’s engagement with the Government Negotiation Team. Public Sector Unions have resolved to join their leadership in...

CIVIL SERVANTS’ ANNUAL INCREMENTS ON HOLD, FOR NOW

MANTSHOLO – This house, situated on Eswatini Nation Land at Mantsholo, together with other immovable and movable property linked to former STANLIB broker Ntombifuthi Portia Nkambule (inset), is set to be sold by public auction. The order follows...

Man wanted for theft of 4 FNB vehicles worth E4.5m

HEAD TEACHERS SUMMONED OVER E2.5m CORPORAL PUNISHMENT LAWSUITS

Minister for Education and Training Owen Nxumalo (Inset) addressing head teachers on major reforms at Ngwane Park High School in Manzini yesterday. The ministry is moving to standardise school fees, abolish corporal punishment following E2.5 million...

ACCOUNTS CLERK ALLEGEDLY STEALS OVER E2.4m, ASSETS ATTACHED ...

MBABANE – Investigations have revealed how a former accounts clerk at Khabo Investment (Pty) Ltd allegedly embezzled over E2.4 million from her employer over a period of three years, according to a court affidavit. The alleged theft enabled Sebenele...

ESWATINI WILL SURVIVE THROUGH GOD’S PROTECTION - KING

ENDURING HARDSHIP ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS - HIS MAJESTY

LOBAMBA - His Majesty King Mswati III delivers the Word of God during the Easter Sunday service at Somhlolo National Stadium. The King emphasised the importance of divine guidance and the necessity of enduring hardship to achieve success. (L) Pastors’...

HAPPY EASTER MONDAY!

Typically celebrated with church services, Easter Monday is a Christian holiday that marks the day after Jesus Christ rose from the dead, according to the Christian faith.*

BLESSED GOOD FRIDAY!*

WE can celebrate on Good Friday because Christ’s death was a sacrifice so that we could receive the gift of eternal life. The Bible tells us that Jesus bore our sins, shame and burden on the cross. The results changed the course of humanity and what...

GOVT LAUNCHES ROYAL SIGNATURE EXPO 2026

MBABANE – Government has officially launched the Royal Signature Expo and Mega Raffle, positioning the initiative as a premium platform aimed at driving high-end investment and elevating Eswatini’s presence in global luxury markets. The launch, led by...

FUEL SHORTAGE HITS MBABANE

MBABANE – Several filling stations within the Mbabane Central Business District (CBD) were hit by a fuel shortage yesterday, forcing motorists to scramble for fuel outside the city. Most service stations in the capital had run out of petrol, leaving...

PRESIDENT MBASOGO PAYS COURTESY CALL ON KING

EQUATORIAL GUINEA - His Majesty and Inkhosikati LaMbikiza bidding farewell to Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, after he and the First Lady had paid a courtesy call on the King yesterday. (ABOVE) The two leaders captured...

KING HAILED FOR E255m OACPS FUNDS RESCUE

Exceeds expectations by raising €2.8m more than €10m target His Majesty’s role endorsed by entire membership of 79 States

KING JETS OFF TO EQUATORIAL GUINEA FOR OACPS SUMMIT

MANZINI – His Majesty King Mswati III has departed Eswatini for Equatorial Guinea to attend the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). This is a high-level gathering that...

Families plead for detained foreigners’ return home

MBABANE – Families of foreign nationals arrested in Eswatini are pleading with authorities to repatriate their relatives as the number of detainees rises to nearly 200. The appeals come as this publication continues its coverage of the crackdown on...

KING OPENS E200m HLANE HOTEL, NAMES IT NSULUTANE

HLANE – His Majesty King Mswati III officially opened the Hlane Royal Hotel yesterday. During the ceremony, His Majesty also performed a sod-cutting for the new shopping mall set to form part of the next phase of the development, and officially named...

INSIDE NEWLY-DISCOVERED ONLINE GAMBLING HUB:

HAWANE – At Umushi Wenkosazane Resort, investigators discovered a setup almost identical to Castle Hotel. Inside ordinary-looking rooms, police found a carefully arranged operation mirroring a model linked to an alleged online gambling and fraud...

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...