Times of Eswatini

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...

CLAMPDOWN ON INFORMAL DAYCARES

MBABANE – Government is clamping down on informal daycare centres, following a surge in abuse, the spread of contagious diseases and deaths. A daycare centre is defined by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as any premises used for the...

MANZINI LEADS IN GBV CASES

EZULWINI - Deputy Prime Minister’s representative, Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini (C front row) with members of different organisations, who came to witness the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against...

PROSECUTOR CLAIMS POLICE ASSAULT, FEARS FOR LIFE IN PRISON

MBABANE – Senior Prosecutor Bongani Cedric Ngwenya (57) of Mankayane (L), who is facing a murder charge, after he allegedly murdered his employee, Antonio Maluleki (47), talking to one of the police officers who brought him to court for his first...

TIGHT SECURITY FOR AKA MURDER SUSPECTS

A chattered plane was used to ferry the two Ndimande brothers; Siyabonga and Malusi (inset top), who were arrested in Eswatini in connection with the murder of South African rapper ‘AKA’ and his friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane, from the Kingdom of...

MINISTER: GOVT WON’T REGULATE CHURCHES

MBABANE – The Minister for Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe has revealed that government will not be regulating churches as a new policy for religious institutions is being developed. This follows an announcement by the minister that churches’...

STILL CONQUERING MALAGWANE AT 82

MBABANE - Now, at 82, Da-Mota still stands tall, his posture straight and his handshake firm. He celebrated his birthday on November 5, 2025, looking good for his years. When asked about the secret to his vitality, his answer is refreshingly simple:...

KING URGES AFRICA TO SOLVE HEALTH, EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES

LOZITHA – King Mswati III urged African countries to find solutions for continental challenges in health, employment and living standards. The King made the comments yesterday at Lozitha Palace while receiving Letters of Credence from three new...

FROM MUD HOUSE TO MANSION

HLATIKHULU - Mlulami Dlamini’s mud double-storey house before a collaborative effort between the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and the Eswatini Construction Association to build him a secure new home. RIGHT: Mlulami’s new double-storey house, which is...

11 STRICT CONDITIONS FOR MTHANDENI

MATSAPHA – Former Ngwempisi Member of Parliament (MP) Mthandeni Dube has been conditionally released, along with 11 other inmates, under a strict set of 11 conditions. The conditions impose restrictions on interactions with the press, use of social...

CLAMP DOWN ON SHOPS SELLING EXPIRED FOOD

MADLANGAMPISI - Some of the food items that were deemed unfit for human consumption and condemned for immediate destruction from some shops around Madlangampisi, after a joint inspection initiative, led by environmental health officers yesterday.

HAILSTORM CAUSES EXTENSIVE DAMAGE

NHLANGANO - A severe hailstorm caused extensive damage to homes, crops and livestock at Matsanjeni South Constituency on Saturday afternoon, around 2pm. Matsanjeni South Member of Parliament (MP) Sabelo Ndlangamandla confirmed the devastation to this...

KING CALLS FOR PROPER UN REFORMS

LOZITHA - His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday received letters of credence from the Russian Federation Ambassador to Eswatini, Vladimir Nikolaevich Tararov (L) and Kuwait Ambassador to Eswatini Salem Rashed Al-Shebli at Lozitha Palace.

ESWATINI, MOROCCO IN JOINT COMMISSION FOR COOPERATION

MOROCCO - Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu shaking hands with His Excellency Nasser Bourita, Morocco Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates. ABOVE PIC: The two ministers,...

4 HECTARES OF DAGGA DESTROYED

TSHANENI - Members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service crossing the Nkomazi River (1), destroying the about 4 hectares of grown dagga through chemical spraying (2) and burning large quantities of harvested dagga (3), along the Nkomazi River and...

ANTI-HIV IN JECTION ARRIVES NEXT MONTH

● PrEP to be taken twice a year; pregnant breastfeeding women to be prioritised ● Eswatini among first two countries in the world to roll out medication

MAGISTRATE PAYS 18 CATTLE FOR CJ’S DAUGHTER

LAWUBA – Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Nkosingiphile Maseko has paid lobola for Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala’s daughter, Busi Maphalala. The event was held over the weekend at the chief justice’s homestead at Lawuba, in the Shiselweni Region. The...

E160K IN PRIZES FOR WOMAN FARMER OF THE YEAR

SIDVOKODVO - Acting Minister for Agriculture Bongani Nzima presenting farming inputs and equipment to Woman Farmer of the Year winner Eli Dlamini (on tractor) at Riders Ranch, Sidvokodvo yesterday. INSET: Boniswa Malaza celebrates after being announced...

SAUDI ARABIA AMBASSADOR, VICE MINISTER MEET KING

LOZITHA - His Majesty King Mswati III welcoming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed bin Abdulkarim El Khereiji (R) with a handshake when he paid a courtesy call to the King at Lozitha Palace yesterday afternoon. RIGHT...

PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER GOVT DECISION: BREAD PRICE HIKE MAKES US POORER

MBABANE – Government’s approval of a seven per cent increase in the price of bread has sparked widespread discontent among members of the public. They are of the view that the hike will worsen the already high cost of living. The announcement,...

GOVT TO HAND OVER 100 MORE HOUSES WORTH E18M

MANZINI – Government, through the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla’s Office is set to handover about 100 more houses valued at around E18m to destitute families across the country. This was revealed by the DPM, yesterday when she...

Walkout as new AEC pastor introduced

MBULUZI - Division in the church became apparent when some members of the Africa Evangelical Church, Mbuluzi branch, walked out after being joined by the executive. The executive, led by Regional Secretary Anson Zwane, visited the church to introduce...

WIN COMPETITION ME!

MBABANE - The Toyota Quantum that is up for grabs in the Win a Quantum Competition by Instacash, which was launched yesterday at the NTT Offices, supported by NTT Toyota and Mongifela Investments. Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba...

KING OFFICIALLY OPENS ROYAL JOZINI GAME RESERVE

JOZINI - His Majesty King Mswati III waving upon arrival for the official opening of the Royal Jozini Private Game Reserve, where over E200 million has already been invested in infrastructure.

MPs call for vetting before marriage

MBABANE – Members of Parliament (MPs) want a legislation that will necessitate the vetting of individuals before they commit to a marriage. This call comes after the legislators expressed worry with the high number of divorces re ected in the Ministry...

OVER 3 500 NEW JOBS IN 3 MONTHS

Over 1 000 permanently posted in govt ministries Private sector recruits about 2 500 workers

THE CLINIC GROUP LAUNCHES 1ST SPECIALISED CARDIAC UNIT

MBABANE - The Clinic Group has launched a Specialised Cardiac Unit, the first of its kind in Eswatini, eliminating a two-year patient waitlist. On Saturday, specialists in Cardiology attended to 11 patients, with some having pacemakers installed in...

JUDICIARY WARNS MP

MBABANE – The Judiciary has advised Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba to stop insulting its members or risk facing contempt proceedings. According to a statement issued by the Judiciary yesterday, if the Member of Parliament (MP) does not cease his ‘political...

GOVT TOPS UP OFFER BY E790M

MBABANE - Government has improved its offer for the implementation of the salary review for civil servants. According to feedback given to hundreds of civil servants who stood in solidarity with their leadership who took part in the Joint Negotiation...

19 CHINESE WORKERS STRANDED IN ESWATINI

EZULWINI – At least 19 Chinese nationals employed in a mining company in Eswatini allege that they have not been paid since their arrival in December 2024. Government has since launched an investigation into the alleged exploitation of the Chinese...

IMBALI ALL SMILES OVER KING’S GIFTS

MBANGWENI — The Imbali regiment returned home yesterday from the Mbangweni Royal Residence, with generous gifts from His Majesty the King. Prior to their departure, the excited maidens were treated to a farewell distribution of food parcels and...

EXCITEMENT AS KING APPRECIATES IMBALI

NHLANGANO - His Majesty King Mswati III smiles alongside Liphovela LaZuma as he appreciates Imbali during the last day of the Umhlanga Ceremony at Mbangweni Royal Residence yesterday.

EMBIVENI CELEBRATES 60YRS DRIVING ESWATINI’S ECONOMIC GROWTH

MATSAPHA - Eswatini Meat Industries (EMI), one of the flagship entities and a backbone of the Kingdom of Eswatini’s economic growth, celebrated its 60 Years Diamond Jubilee yesterday. The celebration, which was attended by Inyatsi Group Holdings...

STANDARD BANK E100K BOOST FOR ENACTUS ESWATINI

MBABANE - Standard Bank Eswatini Head of Business and Commercial Banking Mlamuli Hlatshwayo (2nd R), yesterday, presented E100 000 to Enactus Eswatini Country Leader Sabelo Dlamini (L) to support the University of Eswatini, Luyengo Campus’ students who...

MAN DENIES E5.4M DAGGA FOUND IN HIS HOME

MBABANE - “In all honesty, I have no knowledge of the dagga and how it came to be in one of the rooms.” This submission was made by Phinda Dlamini (38) after police discovered 2 169kg of dagga with a street value of E5 million in one of the rooms at...

JOB OPPORTUNITIES AS ASHLEY FURNITURE INVESTS E25M

MATSAPHA - Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo (C) cutting a ribbon to mark the official opening of Ashley Furniture Industries’ Home Store at Matsapha Lifestyle Centre on Monday evening. Looking on are (L-R) US Embassy’s Charge...

Stricter measures to ensure fair recruitment

Eswatini MBABANE - UEDF Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze has assured the nation that stricter measures have been put in place to ensure the announced recruitment exercise is fair and transparent. The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF)...

Teachers unhappy over delayed school food delivery

MBABANE – Teachers are unhappy that the Ministry of Education and Training has promised to deliver food only once schools have opened, despite their concerns. Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Lot Vilakati lamented...

KING CALLS FOR LASTING SOLUTIONS TO WORLD CONFLICTS

LOZITHA - His Majesty King Mswati III listening to Hungary Ambassador Attila Gyorgy Horvath (3rd L) as he was delivering remarks on behalf of his colleagues, (L-R) Italy Ambassador Gabriele Phillip Annis, Slovakia Ambassador Vladimir Gracz, Lithuania...

MOST CIVIL SERVANTS’ GRADES REMAIN SAME

MBABANE – Most civil servants’ grades will remain the same, according to the Government of Eswatini Remuneration Review Report. The report, which was presented to government yesterday by Emergence Growth and Umelusi Partners, states that 75 per cent...