Swazi Mirror

12/09/2026

SAFA Presidential elections.
Dr Danny Jordaan re-elected SAFA President.
Amazulu boss lose

12/09/2026

MTN Premiership fixture 2026/27

12/09/2026

Zulu Reed Dance Ceremony Underway at eMashobeni Royal Palace
12th September 2026

PONGOLA, KwaZulu-Natal — The annual Zulu reed dance ceremony, Umkhosi woMhlanga, is currently underway at the eMashobeni Royal Palace in Pongola.

Thousands of maidens from across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond have gathered at the royal palace to take part in the cultural event, which celebrates chastity, womanhood, and Zulu heritage.

His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is in attendance, accompanied by Undlunkulu kaMawewe and Undlunkulu Mulela, who are among the King's wives.

The reed dance remains one of the most significant cultural events on the Zulu calendar, drawing royalty, dignitaries, and thousands of spectators.

Courtsey pics:Siphamandla Mbhele/KZN DSAC

12/09/2026

10/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS |
10 September 2026

SHOCK: Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala Dies in South Africa Hospital After Illness

MBABANE — In a devastating blow to the Judiciary, Chief Justice of Eswatini, the Hon. Bheki Maphalala, has passed away after succumbing to an illness while receiving treatment at a hospital in South Africa.

The news, confirmed today, has sent shockwaves across the Kingdom and the Southern African legal fraternity.

The CJ was reportedly first admitted about two weeks ago at Ezulwini Private Hospital for an operation. After complications, he was urgently rushed to a South African hospital for further treatment.

His family was not immediately available for comment regarding his deteriorating health condition.

A Brief Background: The Man Who Led the Judiciary

Bheki Maphalala was a towering figure in Eswatini’s legal landscape.

- Education: He graduated from WITS University in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1990 with B Proc and LLB degrees.
- Career: He practiced as an Attorney from 1992 to 2009. In 2009 he was appointed Judge of the High Court of Eswatini, and elevated to the Supreme Court in 2011. He was the first member of the Swazi people to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
- Chief Justice: His Lordship was formally appointed Chief Justice of Eswatini on 10 November 2015 by His Majesty King Mswati III.
- Who he replaced: He succeeded Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi, who was dismissed by the King in June 2015 for serious misbehaviour. Maphalala had been serving as Acting Chief Justice prior to the appointment.

As Chief Justice, he also chaired the Judicial Service Commission and was a key voice in the Southern African Chief Justices' Forum.

During his tenure he presided over some of the country’s most sensitive cases and was a central figure in debates around judicial independence and the rule of law.

A Nation in Mourning

The death of the head of the Judiciary comes at a critical time, with the courts already facing backlogs and challenges

09/09/2026

PHINDUVUKE BUS SERVICES OWNER GEORGE "SIPHAMBANO" JWANKIE DIES

Lomahasha / 8 September 2026

Prominent businessman and transport operator George “Siphambano” Jwankie has died.

The owner of Phinduvuke Bus Services passed away yesterday afternoon at a local health facility, days after returning home from South Africa where he had been receiving treatment for an illness for about two months.

Jwankie was a well-known figure in business circles, with interests spanning the transport and retail sectors. He built Phinduvuke Bus Services into one of the recognizable names on Eswatini roads.

According to the family, a memorial service will be held on Saturday at his home in Tigodzini, Lomahasha. He will be laid to rest on Sunday at the same homestead.

Tributes have begun pouring in for the late businessman, remembered for his contribution to public transport and job creation in the country.

May his soul rest in peace.

03/09/2026

FIRE DESTROYS BUSTER'S MACAMBENI HOME, TENANTS LEFT DESTITUTE

Pigg’s Peak / 3 September 2026

A devastating blaze has reduced the Macambeni home of Pigg’s Peak-based police officer Sergeant Busta Vilakati to ashes, leaving four tenants homeless and with nothing.

The fire broke out around 5pm today and quickly tore through the house, destroying the structure and everything inside. The total damage is estimated at over E100 000.

The four tenants who were renting rooms at the property watched as their belongings, clothes, furniture and documents were consumed by the flames. They are now left counting their losses with no shelter.

The cause of the fire had not been established by press time.

Authorities are expected to conduct investigations to determine what sparked the inferno.
Courtney pic

03/09/2026

WANDERERS DITCH PREMIER LEAGUE DREAM AS SWAP DEAL WITH RED RHINOS COLLAPSES

Mbabane / 3 September 2026

In another twist, latest developments this afternoon reveal that Manzini Wanderers have dumped their Premier League status ambitions for this season after a proposed swap deal with Red Rhinos collapsed.

The deal fell apart following a ruling from the Eswatini Football Association that the two clubs will not be allowed to play in the Premier League under each other's names this season. Wanderers had bought the status from Red Rhinos with the intention of swapping identities.

According to the EFA, such a swap can only take effect in June 2027.

That left Wanderers with one option: play the entire 2026/27 season in the Premier League as "Red Rhinos".

Club PRO went on air this morning and rejected the proposal outright. He said Wanderers would not take to the field under the Red Rhinos name, and if that was the EFA’s position, the club would not honour the Premier League fixtures.

Red Rhinos later issued a statement this afternoon acknowledging all parties and confirming that the deal will no longer go ahead this year.

Club President, Sithembiso Mamba, thanked all stakeholders involved in the negotiations. He said the circumstances have forced Red Rhinos to continue in the Premier League under their own name, while Manzini Wanderers will remain in the National First Division.

Mamba added that the parties have agreed to put the deal on hold until next year, when a proper handover in June 2027 will be possible.

He then invited Red Rhinos supporters to come out in their numbers this evening when the team faces Green Mamba at Mavuso Sports Centre at 8:15pm.

The failed swap means the Premier League will proceed with Red Rhinos intact, while Wanderers’ hopes of top-flight football are delayed by at least one season.

03/09/2026

FUEL PRICES TO GO UP BY E1.30 FROM FRIDAY AS CRUDE OIL COSTS RISE

Mbabane / 3 September 2026

Motorists and households will dig deeper into their pockets from Friday after the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy announced another round of fuel price increases effective midnight Thursday, 3 September 2026.

In a statement issued today, the Ministry said the adjustment is driven by a rise in international crude oil prices and ongoing global supply pressures.

Crude oil averaged USD 89 per barrel in August 2026, up from USD 87 per barrel in July 2026. The increase has been attributed to shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict, and an extended Russian diesel export ban following damage to refining infrastructure.

On a positive note, the Lilangeni recorded a slight appreciation against the US Dollar. It averaged E16.11 in August, compared to E16.46 in July. However, this was not enough to offset the impact of higher global oil prices.

# # # # *NEW FUEL PRICES EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2026*
- *Unleaded Petrol ULP95*: From E24.67/L to *E25.97/L* — _Increase: E1.30/L_
- *Diesel 0.005% S*: From E27.50/L to *E28.85/L* — _Increase: E1.35/L_
- *Illuminating Paraffin*: From E20.38/L to *E21.73/L* — _Increase: E1.35/L_

The Ministry has urged motorists, businesses and households to use fuel efficiently and responsibly, noting that international oil markets and the Lilangeni/US Dollar exchange rate remain volatile.

"The Ministry remains committed to keeping the public informed on developments affecting fuel prices," the statement read.

The new prices come into effect at midnight tonight and will be reflected at pumps from Friday morning.