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Friday, 4 July 2025

Swaziland Newsletter No. 884 – 4 July 2025

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 884 – 4 July 2025

News from and about Swaziland, compiled by Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk) in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com), and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge. The newsletter and past editions are also available online on the Swazi Media Commentary blogsite.

 

eSwatini grapples with escalating GBV crisis

By Mandisa Mdluli, Times of eSwatini, print edition (edited), 1 July 2025 

MBABANE – An infant aged four was raped by her 86-year-old grandfather at Mankayane.

The infant was reportedly sexually violated by the grandfather behind a shack while at Deda, Mankayane, on Thursday. The perpetrator of the sexual violence has since been arrested. The minor was one of the 13 people sexually violated in the past week.

In the wee hours of Friday, a woman aged 23 of KaLanga, Mpaka, was said to have been sexually violated inside a car, without protection and by someone known to her. In a community within Mpaka, on the same day, a teenager (16) of Dvokodvweni was reportedly forced into sexual intercourse without a condom by an unknown person while she was inside a house at Mpaka.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, a teenager (14) was said to have been raped by her step-father, who is 42 years while at Mahlabatsini, Matsapha. Also, two women, aged 22 and 20 respectively, both from Phumlamcashi, reported being forced into sexual intercourse at knifepoint inside a house.

Two suspects have since been arrested and charged in connection with this case, while between May and June 2025, a 22-year-old was arrested for statutory rape of a 17-year-old..

A woman aged 21 from Nkhaba was said to have reported being raped once, without a condom, by a known individual inside a house at Nkhaba.

At Logoba, a teenager, aged 15, was reportedly raped once without the use of a condom by her step-parent inside a house. The suspect in this case has not yet been arrested, while in the same area, another girl aged 14 was said to have been raped once without the use of a condom inside a house by a known individual. The suspect has not yet been apprehended.

These sexual violations are against the backdrop of a gender-based violence (GBV) crisis which this publication reported that there were five children murdered, 312 raped, 20 sexually assaulted, 67 domestically abused since the beginning of the year.

This horrid reality, compounded by an increase in intimate partner violence, signals a deep societal breakdown that demands urgent and collective intervention, according to a press statement released by the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Thulisile Dladla.

In the communiqué, Dladla said the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) reports that between January and May this year, a total of 540 cases of GBV against children have been recorded.

She said these include 89 cases against children below the age of five, 103 cases against children aged 6-11 years old and a distressing 384 cases affecting adolescents aged 1217 years old.

Dladla condemned the senseless killings and highlighted the broader severity of the situation with blunt statistics. She said the National Surveillance Report of 2024, alongside data from the REPS (DCS Unit), reveals an overwhelming 14 308 reported cases of GBV in 2024 alone.

Of these, 3 336 cases targeted children under 18 years old, while a vast majority, 9 690, were perpetrated against women. Dladla said this data emphasises the growing severity of GBV in the country and it was further confirmed by daily media headlines reporting on these gruesome acts of violence.

One of the most alarming aspects of these reports is the revelation that several survivors were allegedly raped by individuals familiar to them. At Lomahasha, a 19-year-old woman reported on May 20, 2025 that she was forced into sexual intercourse by her own cousin. This incident, occurring within a residential setting, raised serious questions about safety within perceived secure environments and the betrayal of trust.

Siphofaneni also recorded two deeply troubling cases that highlighted the pervasive nature of this crime and the vulnerability of young girls. In one instance, reported on May 20, 2025, a 12-year-old was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual intercourse by a known person over an extended period, from February 2024 to May 2025.

This timeline of abuse, spanning over a year, indicates a horrific, prolonged ordeal for the young survivor. Another report from Siphofaneni, also on May 20, 2025 detailed an 11-year-old girl being raped by an unknown individual in January 2025 within a house. While the perpetrator is unknown in this instance, the setting again points to a violation occurring in what should be a safe space.

In Gege, a 13-year-old girl was reportedly raped by a known person in a wattle forest on May 19, 2025. Fortunately, a suspect was arrested in this case on the subsequent day.

 

Authorities fail to make progress in addressing dismal state of the independence of judges and lawyers

International Commission of Jurists, 30 June 2025

SOURCE 

Four months on from the publication of the ICJ’s report on attacks on the legal profession, and after multiple expressions of concern relating to the state of judicial and legal independence by the UN Special Rapporteur on judges and lawyers, Eswatini has failed to take concrete measures to address the crumbling state of rule of law in the country.

The ICJ’s report, No Situation is Permanent” – Repression, Intimidation, Harassment and Killing of Lawyers in Eswatini, underscored that lawyers, particular those taking human rights cases and cases in public interest, face immense obstacles in operating independently in the country.

The UN Special Rapporteur has conveyed similar concerns to the Eswatini authorities, most recently in a communication issued on 7 April, pointing to reports she had received of regular and targeted attacks on lawyers, including killings and attempted killings.  Prominent among these is the extrajudicial killing of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, regarding which there has so far not been an effective investigation, nor have those responsible been held to account.

According to Eswatini human rights lawyer Mzwandile Masuku: “the UN Special Rapporteur’s communication raises pertinent issues that we as Eswatini lawyers have repeatedly raised with the authorities to no avail. The government’s apparent lack of response to the communication is disappointing”.

The ICJ is also concerned at the relative passivity of the Law Society of Eswatini in performing its statutory mandate to protect the rule of law and secure the independence of lawyers.

“The Law Society of Eswatini must play a bigger role in ensuring that lawyers are able to perform their mandate. Disappointingly, the Law Society has generally not responded adequately to complaints of its members about harassment and intimidation and has failed to put pressure on authorities to investigate the extra-judicial killing of Mr Thulani Maseko”, said Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, ICJ’s Africa Director.

The failure of the State authorities to ensure the rights of lawyers, coupled with the inadequacy of the Law Society to in discharging its protective function, have left the legal profession with little recourse.

“It is critical that lawyers are permitted to undertake their work without any fear of reprisal and that authorities endeavour to secure the independence of the judiciary. Unfortunately, it is often the case that the authorities have taken steps to endanger the independence of the judiciary instead of guarding it as required by the Constitution”, said Mzwandile Masuku.

To read the full report, click here

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/eswatini-authorities-fail-make-progress-mr6ye


 eSwatini Government wants to delay salary increment for civil servants

By Bongiwe Dlamini, Swaziland News, 2 July 2025

SOURCE 

MBABANE: The Public Sector Unions (PSUs) have collectively rejected a request by Government to delay the release of the highly anticipated salary review report, the Ministry of Public Service wanted a four (4) months extension to allow the Consultant to conclude the review process.

Worth-noting, the four months was expiring in November during the commencement of Incwala ritual ceremony and this means, Government was systematic seeking to delay the salary review at least until the 2026/27 financial year.

But Mbongwa Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) told workers outside the Ministry of Public Service on Wednesday that, as PSUs they granted Government only six (6) weeks to conclude the salary review process.

“We granted Government only six weeks not months the four months,” he said.

Eswatini Government workers including security forces, are financially struggling amid the delayed implementation of a salary increase.

 

A decade of deception: uncovering eSwatini’s multibillion accounting scandal

By Zwelethu Dlamini, Inhlase Centre for Investigative Journalism, 27 June 2025

SOURCE 

Eswatini’s government finances are trapped in a cycle of systemic failure, marked by recurring material misstatements in bank balances, fictitious assets and liabilities, widespread unauthorised expenditure, and a glaring lack of adherence to financial regulations, year after year. 

From the most recent 2024 audit pinpointing over E1.6 billion in understated expenditure and nearly E1 billion in unauthorised spending, to historical reports showing multi-billion Emalangeni discrepancies, the Auditor General’s consistent “qualified opinions” underscore a deep-rooted crisis of public financial mismanagement that demands urgent and decisive reform.

Part One: Eswatini’s multibillion Emalangeni accounting scandal

For nearly a decade, the public accounts of Eswatini have been shrouded in a fog of financial irregularities, material misstatements, undisclosed liabilities, a pervasive lack of accountability and unauthorised expenditures, as revealed by a relentless stream of “qualified” audit reports from the Auditor General and the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports.

Billions of Emalangeni remain unaccounted for, with total misstatements reaching E8.44 billion in 2016 and E2.56 billion in 2024. This includes E155 million in fictitious assets and E645 million in undisclosed liabilities in 2024 alone.

A qualified opinion means that the Auditor General, while concluding that the government’s financial statements were fairly presented, there were areas that prevented the auditors from giving an ‘unqualified’/clean opinion. In simple terms, the consistent qualified auditors’ opinion means that the country’s financial records are unreliable. 

Coordinating Assembly for NGOs (CANGO) Director Thembinkosi Dlamini said this crisis is evident in the government’s over-reliance on supplementary budgets. “What is approved in February may be totally unrelated to the reported budget outcomes in the next budget. In short, the usual Auditor General’s report then PAC appearance by accounting officers is no longer enough; rather than a conversation about this crisis should be held with all stakeholders in the room,” he said.

In 2024, government ministries and departments incurred unappropriated expenditures amounting to E155.9 million, including foreign payments and unbudgeted accruals. According to Auditor General Timothy Matsebula, this unlawful spending “translated to fictitious assets” on the government’s books as of 31st March 2024. He further warned that “unauthorised expenditures and unappropriated budgets are not only unlawful but also provide room for misappropriation of public funds and result in serious repercussions in the entire fiscal budget.”

A significant portion of the fictitious assets (E70,465,085.94) resulted from “Unappropriated Expenditure on Accounts Payable – Foreign Payments”, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation contributing 50 per cent of this amount.

This practice is not an accounting error but a calculated act of financial deception. Funds were spent without the legal authorisation from Parliament, and then, instead of being accurately recorded as unauthorised expenditures, they were disguised as “assets” to artificially balance the books. This mechanism effectively conceals illicit spending, allowing ministries to bypass critical parliamentary oversight and potentially divert public funds without transparent accountability.  

To read more of this report, click here

https://inhlase.com/a-decade-of-deception-uncovering-eswatinis-multibillion-accounting-scandal/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLMbdhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFRZzlIdWVsUENUaG9VZ2pDAR6KAvuTkZj8D13V3uMxFxFFOmawqvFu6cBXmqAymcJUo_FnLAHx3-J8SneHQA_aem_YQ4RYxCyhfwBZtTEDtJ-gQ

 

Nomcebo Zuma abandoned by King Mswati after honeymoon period ended

By Rorisang Modiba, Scrolla.Africa, 2 July 2025

SOURCE

New details have emerged about why Nomcebo LaZuma walked out on King Mswati III – and it’s all about being ignored by her royal husband.

As Scrolla.Africa reported earlier, the 22-year-old daughter of former president Jacob Zuma left the Eswatini palace and returned to South Africa after just three months of marriage.

Swaziland News reports that the king spent time with Nomcebo at first, but soon stopped paying attention to her and focused on his other wives.

A source said the king usually spends more time with a new wife until she becomes pregnant, but that didn’t happen with Nomcebo.

The young bride became very upset about the neglect. She was sad, angry, and once even wrongly accused her bodyguards of stealing her jewellery.

The jewellery was later found, but it showed how unhappy she was in royal life.

The king’s spokesperson Percy Simelane said he doesn’t get involved in the king’s private life, only his public work.

Nomcebo’s friend said she may speak about her painful experience once she feels better.

Meanwhile, royal officials went to Nkandla to speak to Jacob Zuma, but he refused to meet them. He had not agreed with the marriage at first, but gave in after his daughter insisted.

King Mswati has more than 14 wives and over 50 children. The 56-year-old monarch is known for his polygamous lifestyle and lavish spending, while most of his people live in poverty.

The marriage was intended to be a cultural alliance between the Zuma family and Eswatini’s monarchy.

While her mother supported the union, Jacob Zuma opposed it and didn’t attend the engagement or wedding. King Mswati paid R2-million and 100 cattle in lobola.

Despite public appearances, such as a Vatican visit in October 2024, the marriage reportedly had problems from the start.

Nomcebo had paused her university studies for royal duties, but it seems the sacrifice wasn’t worth it.

Neither family has officially commented on the separation, but the failed marriage has exposed the reality of being one of many wives to an African king.

King Mswati and Nomcebo LaZuma.

See also

Lonely Jacob Zuma’s daughter dumps playboy Swazi King  

https://sundayworld.co.za/news/lonely-jacob-zumas-daughter-dumps-playboy-swazi-king/

Former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter Inkhosikati Nomcebo LaZuma received over R3million gift from husband King Mswati before fleeing Palace

https://swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=9407

 

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Friday, 27 June 2025

Swaziland Newsletter No. 883 – 27 June 2025

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 883 – 27 June 2025

News from and about Swaziland, compiled by Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk) in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com), and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge. The newsletter and past editions are also available online on the Swazi Media Commentary blogsite

Human rights advocates call for reforms

By Sifiso Nhlabatsi, eSwatini Observer (print edition), 26 June 2025 

Human rights and gender equality advocates as well as some traditionalists are calling for urgent reforms following widowed Mtsambama Member of Parliament (MP) Sibongile Mamba’s prolonged absence from parliamentary duties.

They argue that while culture is an important part of national identity, it should not be weaponised to silence or marginalise women. This follows a concern raised by Umhluma Women and Youth Foundation Executive Director Lungelo Zulu about the absence of Mamba from Parliament after the loss of her husband.

Africa Regional Coordinator for One Billion Rising Colani Hlatjwako said Mamba’s prolonged absence was not merely a personal matter, but a broad issue of structural inequality.

“As a country, it is time we move beyond cultural practices and traditions that continue to discriminate against and marginalise women. True equality means both access and the ability to lead without fear, limitation or prejudice. When we speak of equal participation, we are not only referring to numbers or representation, but also to creating a working environment that enables women to be effective and impactful.”

She stressed that systemic cultural barriers were still deeply embedded and prevented women from fully participating in leadership roles. “What has happened to MP Sibongile is not just a family matter, it affects the progress and well-being of the entire constituency she represents,” Hlatjwako added.

Meanwhile, traditionalists Elliot Mkhatshwa said women in leadership should not be forced to withdraw from public duties under the guise of tradition.

“A person of Mamba’s stature must not be subjected to such restrictions. If we want women to take part in leadership, we must stop tying them down with customs,” he said.

He argued that cultural practices should be adapted to suit modern-day realities, especially when they intersect with national governance.

Mkhatshwa suggested that a twomonth mourning period should suffice for women in leadership roles, and anything beyond that becomes an unfair constraint.

Attempts to get official comment from the House of Assembly leadership yielded no results. Speaker Jabulani Mabuza and Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga were both contacted, but neither responded to calls or messages by the time of publication.

 

Jacob Zuma’s daughter flees husband King Mswati citing polygamy woes

By Chris Matambanadzo, iHarare, 25 June 2025

SOURCE 


Former [South Africa] President Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Nomcebo Zuma, has reportedly left her royal marriage to King Mswati III of eSwatini, causing quiet ripples across the region’s political and traditional circles.

The 22-year-old junior wife, known as Inkhosikati LaZuma in the kingdom, is said to have walked away from palace life, complaining that she could no longer bear being in a polygamous setup where she “goes for months without seeing her husband.”

In line with Swazi tradition, when a wife disappears — a practice known as kwemuka — the husband sends a delegation to her family to plead for her return. In this case, a royal team was allegedly dispatched to Zuma’s homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, to try to resolve the matter.

Nomcebo’s marriage to King Mswati wasn’t officially announced by the palace but was exclusively reported by Swaziland News in 2024, when she was introduced as the King’s Liphovela (girlfriend) during the annual uMhlanga Reed Dance ceremony. Shortly after, she joined the royal household.

Now, her sudden departure has left both families in a tense standoff.

When contacted for comment by Swaziland News, King Mswati’s spokesperson Percy Simelane said he hadn’t been informed of the incident. He explained that his office only handles the King’s public matters, not private family issues.

“I am not aware, by design and principle, my Office portfolio does not stretch into the King’s private life, only his public life is my area of interest,” said the King’s Spokesperson.

Behind the scenes, sources claim that the royal delegation has been camped in Nkandla for days, trying to meet with Jacob Zuma — but the former president allegedly refused to even greet them.

According to insiders, Zuma told the envoys that he had never supported the marriage from the start, but only went along with it because his daughter was insistent. His silence now may be a sign that he’s standing by her decision to leave.

King Mswati, who is known for his lavish lifestyle and absolute power, has more than 14 wives and over 50 children, a fact that reportedly became overwhelming for Nomcebo.

Efforts to reach members of the Zuma family for direct comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

See also

“I haven’t seen my husband in months!” Jacob Zuma’s daughter walks out of polygamous marriage with King Mswati over marital struggles

https://www.tv47.digital/a-royal-delegation-from-eswatini-has-been-sent-to-nkandla-kwazulu-natal-south-africa-to-negotiate-the-return-of-king-mswati-iiis-youngest-wife-106846/

 

Don’t shut down hos­pit­als – Ministry of Health

By Timothy Simelane, Times of eSwatini (print edition), 25 June 2025 

MBABANE: The Min­istry of Health has issued a stern warn­ing to health pro­fes­sion­als against shut­ting down oper­a­tions in pub­lic health facil­it­ies, labelling such actions as illegal.

Prin­cipal Sec­ret­ary (PS) in the Min­istry of Health, Khan­yak­wezwe Mabuza, stated the min­istry has received reports of health pro­fes­sion­als leav­ing patients stran­ded. “No one has the right to close down a hos­pital,” he asser­ted.

Prin­cipal Sec­ret­ary (PS) in the Min­istry of Health, Khan­yak­wezwe Mabuza, stated the min­istry has received reports of health pro­fes­sion­als leav­ing patients stran­ded. “No one has the right to close down a hos­pital,” he asser­ted.

Address­ing con­cerns about a lack of medi­cines and drug sup­plies, Mabuza cla­ri­fied: “That does not war­rant a shut­down of the facil­ity, because the doc­tor can still make a pre­scrip­tion for the patient to get the drug else­where.”

He fur­ther explained that even if one spe­cific drug is out of stock, other neces­sary med­ic­a­tions may still be avail­able to assist the patient.

When ques­tioned about lengthy meet­ings held by nurses, doc­tors and sup­port staff while patients wait unat­ten­ded, Mabuza emphas­ised that all meet­ings must be sanc­tioned by hos­pital man­age­ment and con­duc­ted in a man­ner that does not affect patients.

“If these meet­ings go on and on and are not sanc­tioned by the man­age­ment, we will con­sider such to be a go-slow strike,” Mabuza warned.

The min­istry’s Com­mu­nic­a­tions Officer Nsindiso Tsabedze, under­scored the illeg­al­ity of oper­a­tional shut­downs. He said some patients could find relief psy­cho­lo­gic­ally after meet­ing the doc­tor.

“To some patients, just meet­ing the doc­tor and hav­ing him inspect you, could be enough ther­apy,” he remarked.

The min­istry engaged the media fol­low­ing a series of meet­ings by pro­fes­sional staff at Mbabane Gov­ern­ment Hos­pital (MGH), where they sought solu­tions to short­ages of drugs, med­ical sup­plies, staff, secur­ity and other essen­tials. Dur­ing these MGH meet­ings, patients were observed wait­ing exhaust­ively, with some even­tu­ally return­ing home, and entire blocks of treat­ment and exam­in­a­tion rooms in the Out­pa­tient Depart­ment were locked. Only patients in wards reportedly received assist­ance from a lim­ited num­ber of nurses.

Mabuza announced that the min­istry would intro­duce a cus­tomer care point in hos­pit­als for patients to lodge com­plaints about a lack of atten­tion. The PS acknow­ledged that the min­istry had received two or three peti­tions from health­care pro­fes­sion­als and affirmed that efforts were under­way to resolve the repor­ted short­ages.

“We acknow­ledged the issues on these peti­tions. Some of them may not be true, but we appre­ci­ate that the staff reached out to the min­istry to have these issues resolved,” he said.

Mean­while, Tsabedze noted that des­pite Monday’s meet­ings at MGH, the min­istry had been aler­ted to another meet­ing planned for yes­ter­day. He said that was a cause for con­cern because patients were being affected.

“We gathered from the media that the con­cern is that there are no med­ical sup­plies and decided to address this issue,” he con­cluded.

 

King Mswati says eSwatini to establish Council of Chiefs to complete the country’s constitutional governance structure

By Musa Mdluli, Swaziland News, 25 June, 2025

SOURCE 

MBABANE: King Mswati says eSwatini will soon establish the Council of Chiefs to complete the country’s constitutional governance structure.

Addressing the Ghana’s National House of Chiefs in Kumasi on Wednesday, the King said establishing the Council of Chiefs would place eSwatini as one of the African countries will formalized traditional leadership, Government online platforms reported.

“Having a Council of Chiefs would place Eswatini as one of several African nations with formalised Houses of Chiefs or similar traditional leadership structures. This new Council will serve as a platform for chiefs to advise the state on matters of tradition, custom, and cultural preservation, reinforcing their pivotal role in Eswatini’s monarchical democracy. The King said the country’s commitment to this structure underscores a political will to harmonising tradition with modernity, ensuring that the wisdom of chiefs continues to shape national policies in a rapidly evolving world. Provision for such a structure is contained in Chapter 14 of the national Constitution and is said to align with a broader African trend of recognising traditional leadership within governance frameworks. The King emphasised that Eswatini’s chiefs, under the Tinkhundla system, are central to the Nation’s identity, administering communities, resolving disputes, and upholding the values of ubuntu- unity, respect, and progress. The new Council of Chiefs will amplify their role, ensuring their centuries-honed wisdom informs national laws and policies,” reads the Government online report.

On another note, the King who applauded Ghana traditional leadership for preserving culture, paid tribute to Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and Eswatini’s King Sobhuza II for their visionary leadership in securing independence for their Nations while safeguarding traditional governance structures.

 

Mswati’s Council of Chiefs plan signals deeper entrenchment of monarchy, not democratic reform

By Anele Dlamini, Swaziland Democratic News, 26 June 2025

SOURCE

In a recent address to Ghana’s National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, King Mswati III announced Eswatini’s plan to formally establish a Council of Chiefs a move presented as a step toward preserving cultural heritage and enhancing traditional governance. This, however is a calculated effort to deepen the monarchy’s control and further entrench the undemocratic Tinkhundla system, rather than pave the way for genuine political reform.

The King claimed the Council of Chiefs would advise the state on matters of tradition and culture, ensuring the “wisdom of chiefs” continues to shape national policy. While similar structures exist in other African countries, Eswatini’s unique political context where political parties are banned and the king holds absolute power means this council will likely serve to reinforce royal authority rather than balance it. Under the Tinkhundla system, chiefs already play a central role in local governance, community dispute resolution and enforcing allegiance to the monarchy. Formalising their role into a national council only strengthens the regime’s grip on the grassroots.

The King further claims that this step demonstrates political will to “harmonise tradition with modernity.” Yet in reality, it signals a refusal to engage in the kind of democratic restructuring that citizens and civil society have long demanded. Instead of opening pathways to inclusive governance, Mswati is doubling down on traditional authority conveniently controlled and aligned with royal interests.

Adding to growing concerns is the King’s continued practice of including his children in structures of governance and international trips, as was seen again in Ghana. These appearances go beyond symbolic family representation; they suggest a deliberate strategy to groom and position the next generation of royals within state and diplomatic spaces. This pattern reinforces dynastic rule and signals the monarchy’s intention to maintain a firm hold on power for generations to come.

Ultimately, while the Council of Chiefs is being promoted as a tool for cultural preservation, it appears to be part of a broader strategy to solidify the monarchy’s control, suppress democratic aspirations and close the door on political reform in Eswatini.

 

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Friday, 20 June 2025

Swaziland Newsletter No. 882 – 20 June 2025

 

Swaziland Newsletter No. 882 – 20 June 2025

News from and about Swaziland, compiled by Global Aktion, Denmark (www.globalaktion.dk) in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com), and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland - free of charge. The newsletter and past editions are also available online on the Swazi Media Commentary blogsite

 

Cabinet given 14-day ultimatum

By Nokuphila Haji, eSwatini Observer, Press Reader edition, 19 June 2025

SOURCE 

MPs say health system falling apart, demand plans, not promises • Claim there is no political will to solve crisis

Members of Parliament (MPs) have given Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini 14 days to return to the House of Assembly with satisfactory responses backed by actions in addressing the prevalent drugs shortage in public health institutions.

This was the resolution taken by the MPs following a heated debate after some legislators were for the adjournment of the sitting while others called for Cabinet to be excused and be given time to address the issue.

Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo said he was of the idea that the premier takes up the issue with Cabinet and address the drugs crisis in public hospitals, and return with responses in 14 days.

He said after the 14 days, he expected Dlamini to deliver a statement on which direction the country would be taking in addressing the issues that marred the health sector.

He said this would not benefit them, adding that the nation was losing hope in them because the debate yielded no positive.

The premier was in the House to respond to motions concerning his office like the government grand plan, employment policy and others. He said they should not even discuss the health issue, but halt everything so that the nation would note that their legislators were hard at work.

He said they would wait for the response from government because if they failed to do so, the nation would also lose hope in them. He said the PM should take the issue as a collective and attend to it fully.

“They should bring responses not because they have to respond but answers that are backed up by action. The situation is dire, it has never been this bad before,” he said.

Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane asked if it would be wrong to ask Cabinet to excuse them so that they could discuss the issue and return with a report.

He noted that there was political resistance and no political will on the issue.

He said the situation was dire on the ground and they should have

received a concrete report on the issue. He said health officials were rioting endlessly because there was no medication in hospitals.

He said there were powerful stakeholders, but they were also not sure of their identity. He said if there was political will, the ministry would have fixed the issue by now. He added that the ministry hinted at disposing drugs, yet that was the supplier’s duty.

“Can the PM be granted 14 days as the head of Cabinet to sort this issue out? This is now supposed to be addressed by the PM so that he can give us the direction that we have to take because this is the same response that we get everyday. Can Cabinet return with the responses that we need not what we are doing now,” he said.

Lobamba MP Michael Masilela said they should adjourn the debate and also suspend the sitting so that they could allow Cabinet to address the health challenges.

Ngudzeni MP Charles Ndlovu also called for the adjournment of debate and allow Cabinet to return with responses on the health crisis in 14 days. The speaker said they could not allow some motions into the House while others take time to be debated.

He said the challenge was that the other MPs did not support Khumalo, but stated their motions.

Khumalo said the motions that appear from what they had were without notice. He emphasised that in the 14 days Cabinet should work on the responses.

Attorney General Mashampu Khumalo said if they considered motions without notice, they should also look at Standing Order 74. He said if they raise a motion without notice, they might operate in the context of Standing Order 74.

He said motions that could be considered for the adjournment of the House or debate were allowed if the motion was of an urgent matter of public interest.

 

World Food Programme eSwatini Country Brief, May 2025

Relief Web, 19 June 2025

SOURCE 

In Numbers

227.2 MT of food assistance distributed to 861 NCPs

USD 0.5 million six months net funding requirements, representing 14 percent of total requirement (June to November 2025)

26,682 people assisted in May 2025

Operational Updates

Children Social Food Safety Net

In May 2025, WFP provided support to 26,628 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs) in 861 neighbourhood care points (NCPs). WFP is also supporting the government of Eswatini with the development of standard operating procedures for NCPs to provide guidelines for the Social Centres in alignment with the NCP strategy. This aims to improve the efficiency and standardization of NCP operations while fostering accountability and ensuring proper registration of NCPs.

Livelihood Projects

Under the UBRAF-funded livelihoods support, WFP has assisted 30 beneficiaries with income-generating activities aimed at strengthening resilience among vulnerable populations affected by HIV. The project focuses on improving food and nutrition security through sustainable livelihoods, particularly for individuals living with or affected by HIV and those living with disability. In May 2025 four beneficiaries who were awaiting delivery of layer chickens have now received them and have started selling eggs, contributing to improved household income and self-reliance.

Climate Resilience

WFP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), FAO, NAMBoard, CFI, and the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development (MTAD), trained 24 participants (17 youth and 7 community leaders) on improved vegetable production, market access, post-harvest handling, financial management, and shifting from subsistence to business-oriented farming

To download full report

https://reliefweb.int/report/eswatini/wfp-eswatini-country-brief-may-2025

 

School teacher Nompilo Mamba who took pictures and videos of armed police abducting children during political unrest leaves eSwatini in fear for her life

By Musa Mdluli, Swaziland News, 16 June, 2025

SOURCE 

MBABANE: Nompilo Mamba, the Mbabane John Wesley Secondary School teacher who took pictures and videos of armed police officers abducting children inside the classroom during the political unrest, has left eSwatini and secured a job in Ireland.

On Tuesday 12th October 2021, this Swaziland News reported that police armed with guns, invaded John Wesley Secondary School in Mbabane grabbing school children who were suspected to be protesters.

The armed police officers arrived after learning that children from Mater Dolorosa (MDS) and John Wesley were protesting.

After entering the classroom, the officer was seen notifying his colleagues that he had caught some of the children before grabbing them to the Police Station where they were reportedly tortured.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News earlier, Mbongwa Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) confirmed the matter saying the students from MDS were grabbed by the police and detained in a classroom at John Wesley.

“What we can confirm is that the protest started at MDS and proceeded to Wesley Secondary. The police then grabbed the children who were from MDS and detained them in a classroom while waiting for a van to take them to the police station”, said the SNAT President.

Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson declined to respond our questions regarding the abduction of the children.

But Nompilo Mamba, the teacher who took the pictures and exposed the abduction of the children, subsequently received threats from the police officers and State agents were allegedly plotting to abduct her as well.

Efforts to seek a comment from the teacher proved unsuccessful, she is reportedly working in Ireland-Europe.

Eswatini is an absolute Monarchy, human rights defenders are arrested, tortured or even killed for demanding democracy.

 

John Wesley Secondary School teacher Nompilo Mamba who took pictures of armed police abducting children during political unrest leaves eSwatini in fear for her life


SA faces steep costs in Swazi lilangeni after ditching Taiwan

SA Freight News, 13 June 2025

SOURCE 

Eswatini’s cargo transporters – air, rail and road – as well as freight forwarders and warehouse lessors are excited by the prospect of Taiwan relocating its business interests, including manufacturing concerns, from South Africa to their country.

There is wide consensus that the small, landlocked nation’s limited resources will be offset by a winning advantage as Africa’s only country to still maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. “My company hauls cargo for Taiwanese companies in South Africa,” said the manager of a road freight firm based at the Matsapha Industrial Estate, halfway between Mbabane and the commercial hub of Manzini, who prefers to remain anonymous.

The manager said the company moves especially Taiwanese goods and exports to Eswatini.

The relocation of factories owned by business interests from the Republic of China to Eswatini “will open the biggest new opportunity for our freight industry since apartheid”, the manager added.

In the 1980s, several multinational companies moved out of South Africa to avoid apartheid-era sanctions and relocated to what was then still officially Swaziland.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/sa-faces-steep-costs-swazi-lilangeni-after-ditching-taiwan

 

eSwatini’s education system receives a major boost

By Siphesihle Dlamini, eSwatini Daily News, Press Reader edition. 18 June 2025

SOURCE

Enhancing the educational landscape of Eswatini, the Minister for Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, received a generous donation of 200 computers and 10,000 books on Tuesday at the Ministry’s Headquarters. The donation, made possible by the collaboration between Computers for Africa and the Eswatini Literacy Project, aims to equip schools across the nation, particularly those in rural areas, with essential resources to improve learning outcomes.

The event was marked by a spirit of gratitude and optimism, as stakeholders gathered to celebrate this milestone in Eswatini’s quest for quality education.

The Chairperson of the Eswatini Literacy Project, Senator Ntfombiyenkhosi Dlamini, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to fostering a culture of reading among students. “We have established this organization to promote the culture of reading in students, particularly from schools in rural areas,” Dlamini stated. The initiative aims to bridge the educational gap by ensuring that every child has access to books and learning materials that can enrich their knowledge and imagination.

To read more of this report, click here

https://www.pressreader.com/eswatini/eswatini-daily-news-9y77/20250618/281539411925259

 

Did Swaziland’s government order men to marry five wives or risk jail term?

By Elizabeth Ogunbamowo, Dubuwa, 18 June 2025

SOURCE 

Claim: Several Facebook posts claimed the government of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) ordered its men to marry five wives or risk being jailed.

Verdict: False! The government made no such request and had debunked the claim years earlier. 

 

In Africa, discussions around polygamy often gain traction on social media. In most cases, women tend to oppose the idea, while men frequently defend it, citing unverifiable research claims that suggest polygamy is “natural” to the male gender.

Recently, a claim surfaced on Nigerian social media alleging that the government of Eswatini issued a controversial directive supporting polygamy.

The claim, shared on Facebook on May 29, 2025, alleged that the Swaziland government had ordered men to marry five wives, warning that any man who opposed the directive would risk imprisonment.

Several Facebook accounts reposted the claim, which has since gone viral. Some Nigerian users, who shared the post, expressed a desire for a similar law to be enacted in Nigeria, while others joked about relocating to the Southern African country. 

Given the virality of the claim and its potential to mislead the public, DUBAWA fact-checked it.

Verification

Eswatini is a country in the Southern African region. It is referred to as the world’s last remaining absolute monarchies, ruled by King Mswatini III, who assumed power in 1986 after his 18th birthday. 

The country, formerly known as Swaziland, was renamed kingdom of Eswatini in 2018 to mark the country’s 50th independence anniversary. 

Public accounts of King Mswatini’s harem note that he has at least 15 wives, while his father reportedly had over 70 wives. This context may lend superficial credibility to the claim that he ordered men to marry at least five wives.

However, a Google keyword search showed that the claim previously trended online in 2019. At the time, the context surrounding the claim was that the government promised to fund the marriage ceremonies and provide houses for the couples and that failure to comply could result in a life sentence. 

The reports further stated that the alleged directive was prompted by the country’s growing female population and a shortage of men.

However, findings showed the claim had been debunked in the past. Media reports quoted government spokesperson Percy Simelane, who described the reports as “malicious” and “poisonous” at the time.

“His Majesty has not made any pronouncement to that effect as it has never been an issue raised,” Simelane had said.

He also said such a report was an insult to the monarchy and the culture of eSwatini and a disgrace to journalism.

The rumour was also debunked, as seen here

DUBAWA went through the official social media accounts of the Eswatini government on Facebook and X and found no such directive. 

Also, a video posted in May 2024 on YouTube showed officials of Eswatini debunking a similar claim that the country was giving “free wives” to men from Uganda and other African countries to increase its population.

Findings indicate that polygamy is legally permissible in Eswatini, provided it is consensual. However, there are ongoing concerns regarding women’s rights and the discriminatory aspects often associated with such unions, particularly with traditional and customary practices.

While some argue that polygamy contravenes Article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees equal rights for men and women in the enjoyment of all civil and political freedoms, others maintain that polygamy does not infringe upon women’s rights any more than monogamy does.”

Meanwhile, DUBAWA fact-checked a similar claim, which was in support of polygamy in January 2024 and found it to be false. 

Conclusion

The claim that the government of Eswatini ordered men to marry five wives or risk a jail term is false.

SWAZI MEDIA COMMENTARY

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