Eswatini Observer

16/07/2025

MTN ESWATINI OFFICIALLY ACCREDITED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN BOARD FOR PEOPLE PRACTICES (SABPP)
MTN Eswatini has been officially accredited by the South African Board for People Practices.
This milestone means the company’s HR learning and development programs now meet top national and international standards.
The accreditation was awarded after a detailed assessment based on 13 HR standards.
The company’s Acting CEO Sibusiso Nhleko received the certificate on behalf of the team.

16/07/2025

CLASH OF CHAMPIONS:
MTN Premier League winners Nsingizini Hotspurs will take on South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Rusternburg, South Africa next Saturday.
As the team gears up for their CAF Champions League debut, they will be put to the test by the recently returned FIFA Club World Cup contenders.

16/07/2025

GOVT ASSURES NATION ON DEPORTATION OF INMATES:
Government has confirmed that five inmates deported from the US are being held in secure, isolated correctional units and pose no threat to the public.
According to a statement released by Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, this follows months of careful engagement between the Eswatini and US Governments, with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), ensuring strict safety and risk assessments were followed.
She said Eswatini remained committed to upholding international agreements and protecting the safety and rights of its people

Below are profiles of the deported convicts

16/07/2025

CRACKDOWN ON MINERAL THEFT IN PIGG'S PEAK:
Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela says the ministry is deeply concerned about the theft of precious minerals including Green Chert and Gold in Pigg’s Peak.
He, however, revealed that security forces had been roped in and that some culprits had already been caught.
He said the ministry would continue working with law enforcement until this completely comes to a stop.
This was during the ministry’s first quarter performance report debate in Parliament

16/07/2025

EXCLUSIVE: US EMBASSY CONFIRMS ARRIVAL OF DEPORTEES, ALLAYS PUBLIC FEARS
The US Embassy in Eswatini has confirmed to this publication that five individuals removed from the United States arrived in the country and has allayed public fears following outcry over security concerns.
Spokesperson Carly Van Orman says the group is in government custody and poses no threat to citizens with all safety measures in place

The United States government has allayed public fears about the five individuals that arrived in the country after being removed from the U.S yesterday. Responding to mounting public outcry following reports of their arrival, the Embassy confirmed the arrival, but emphasised that the group does not....

16/07/2025

DPM ATTENDS NATIONAL JOB AND ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPO FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has arrived at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre to participate in the National Job and Entrepreneurial Expo for Persons with Disabilities Awareness.
Held under the theme “Empowering Futures and Enhancing Diversity: Your Career, Your Choice,” the event aims to promote inclusivity, economic empowerment and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

16/07/2025

BREAKING NEW:US SAYS IT HAS SENT THIRD- COUNTRY DEPORTEES TO ESWATINI
The U.S. Homeland Security Department said on Tuesday a deportation flight carrying immigrants from different countries had landed in Eswatini, in a move that follows the U.S. Supreme Court lifting limits on deporting migrants to third countries.
In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for President Donald Trump's administration to resume deporting migrants to countries other than their own without offering them a chance to show the harms they could face. The decision handed the government a win in its aggressive pursuit of mass deportations.

Source: Reuters

16/07/2025

PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE RECUSES HIMSELF FROM POLICE R**E CASE AMID EXTORTION ALLEGATIONS:
Principal Magistrate Musa Nxumalo has recused himself from presiding over the r**e case involving Constable Wonder Mabuza, a police officer stationed at Simunye Police Station.
Mabuza was arrested two weeks ago following allegations that he sexually assaulted a 19 year-old mother who had been detained overnight in police custody.
The Magistrate said he had since learnt the accused had been extorting money from various individuals using his name. He alleged that the accused would approach out on bail suspects and tell them he would secure lenient sentences for them by negotiating with the principal magistrate, whom he falsely claimed to be his close friend.

INFLATION DROPS TO 2.9%:
Great news for consumers as the country’s inflation rate has dropped to 2.9 per cent in June 2025.
According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for June 2025, the inflation rate is 0.3 percentage points lower than the 3.2 per cent observed in May 2025.
Compared to June 2024, the inflation rate reflects a 1.5 percentage point decrease.

MISS TEEN ESWATINI REGISTRATION EXTENDED:
Good news for aspiring queens as the Miss Teen Eswatini registration deadline has been extended to July 20 due to overwhelming interest.
The extension of the deadline initially set for July 12, is meant to allow more young women to be part of this exciting journey.

NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS TO AIR ON SUPERSPORT:
MTN Premier League champs Nsingizini Hotspurs will now have their own monthly show on SuperSport!
The programme kicks off next month and will give fans an inside look into the club’s life and operations.
Team President Derrick Shiba explained that the programme was part of a 12-month phase one agreement with SuperSport.

15/07/2025

AZUL LIFESTYLE SHUTS DOWN JUST AFTER THREE MONTHS:
Barely three months since taking over from Mega Lounge, Azul Lifestyle is calling it quits. The club’s management revealed in a statement that the venue will soon be under new management.
What went wrong!!

15/07/2025

BISHOP MACULUVE LOSES E90 000 WORTH OF PROPERTY IN MYSTERIOUS HOUSE FIRE:
Bishop Maculuve was left in shock after a fire ravaged his house at Mphakamela Primary School, where he serves as a teacher.
The blaze, which broke out under unclear circumstances, destroyed property estimated to be worth around E90 000. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

📸 Courtesy

15/07/2025

FUEL SECTOR UNDER PRESSURE:
Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela says the petroleum sector is facing tough challenges like fuel price volatility, global market shifts and political instability.
Making his remarks during the SACU Interstate Oil Committee meeting at the Happy Valley Hotel, he urged all five SACU countries to rethink and restrategise for a more secure and sustainable fuel future.
The meeting brought together experts from Eswatini, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho to tackle fuel supply security, retailing challenges and more.

15/07/2025

PATERNITY SAGA:
The woman at the centre of the viral paternity saga says her husband knew that one of the four children was not his and agreed to keep it a secret.

The mother of the four children who turned out not to be biological children of her husband claims that her husband knew about the paternity of one of the children and they both agreed to keep it a secret. Speaking to this publication, the mother said while dating her husband, they had separated whe...