Swaziland
Newsletter No. 946 – 2 October 2026
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.
EmaSwati the most disrespected Nation by their
leadership
Opinion by Wandile Dludlu, Swaziland News, 25
September 2026
The conduct of firstly the
royal family, His Majesty’s Government, and most local and national leadership
presidium depicts a common denominator: absolute low regard, care and
contemptuous demeanor through covert and overt measures in the day-to-day operations
of the Swazi State.
The King and his Government,
as we speak, attended the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In this session, like a
majority of sessions for the last forty (40) years His Majesty has likely
attended, there were robust, frank and open discussions and debates, some of
which were contentious, emotive and controversial.
The UN platform allows one
leader to speak without any form of restriction nor unreasonable limitation.
Donald Trump spoke openly
against the Islamic Republic of Iran, even threatened to “annihilate” them
should they not concede to US demands but the President of Iran came with a
heavy rebuttal against the US and Israel.
The Eswatini delegation was
interestingly part of those who walked out when the Israeli leader took to the
podium as a protest for their massacre of the children of Gaza. That’s
politics, Your Majesty, once we are tempted to say wow, but remember quickly
that in your backyard that walk out could mean death, a lengthy prison term, if
not exile.
Why does the King, after
exposure to the reality of the world – in how human beings, no matter their
race, geography or level of development as nations, differ in how they view and
conceive the very world they live in, and worse how they see the future in
those countries for their kids – it is very strange that Your Majesty, you deny
Emaswati that natural right to freely exercise their natural rights.
We have a government we can’t
fire in any form in case we are unhappy. Politicians across the world can be
fired for poor performance, for corruption, like the collapsed public
healthcare, and for a variety of reasons.
Politics has no entitlements
nor permanent arrangements. Even the most loved or revered politicians have
been subjected to public scrutiny with consequences should they fall short.
Except here in Eswatini, Your Majesty.
Just look how cabinet
ministers and MPs openly talk about how now it is time to campaign for the next
elections, after yet another dismal performance in which no meaningful jobs
were created, no rural development upscaled, whilst poverty levels deepened.
But so long as the royal
family is happy with them, they are guaranteed of another seat either as
cabinet ministers or members of Parliament.
Until Emaswati bolster our
position as citizens not subjects, claim our virtues and innate being, Jesus
Christ will not come back to babysit Emaswati.
Call for retired jurists to probe eSwatini’s
anti-corruption institutions failure
By Sifiso Nhlabatsi, eSwatini Positive News, 30
September 2026
LOBAMBA: Members of Parliament
are being asked to consider a different approach to Eswatini’s long-running
corruption problem by establishing a Judiciary Commission of Enquiry,
preferably comprising impartial retired jurists from within or outside the
country, to investigate why institutions mandated to fight corruption have
struggled to stop the scourge.
The proposal is contained in
Private Members’ Motion 31/2026, by Hhukwini Member of Parliament Alec Lushaba
and seconded by Appointed Member of Parliament Prince Mshengu.
Lushaba wants the Minister for
Justice and Constitutional Affairs to establish the commission within 14 days
of Parliament adopting the motion.
The proposed commission would
investigate the causes and reasons behind the failure of institutions tasked
with fighting corruption across all branches of Government.
It would also be empowered to
refer matters to appropriate prosecutorial, investigative or disciplinary
authorities where its investigations establish that a person, public officer,
commissioner, employee, judicial officer or other office bearer had engaged in
corruption.
The commission would have four
months to complete its work and submit its findings to the Minister, who would
then table the report before Parliament.
The proposal comes against a
backdrop of recurring allegations and investigations involving public
procurement, government expenditure and public institutions.
Among recent cases, the
Auditor General flagged more than E3.3 billion in financial irregularities in
the International Convention Centre and Five-Star Hotel project, including
alleged tender breaches, unsupported expenditure and weaknesses in contract management
and oversight.
In another case, a senior
Ministry of Agriculture official was arrested in 2025 and charged with 106
counts of corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering, following an
investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The allegations involved
at least E133 900.
Procurement has also remained
a recurring area of concern, with medical suppliers lodging 19 objections with
the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ESPPRA) over government
tenders worth about E1 billion.
The motion is yet to be
adopted by the House.
To read more of
this report, click here
‘Raise the bar on teachers’ demands’
By Kwanele Sibiya, eSwatini Observer, 29
September 2026
Outgoing Swaziland National
Association of Teachers (SNAT) President Mbongwa Dlamini has challenged the
union’s incoming leadership to raise the bar on teachers’ demands by moving
beyond cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) towards a living wage and stronger
employment conditions.
Dlamini made the call during
the 2026 SNAT Annual Conference held at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha, where
teachers gathered to elect a new National Executive Committee (NEC) and
deliberate on issues affecting the union.
The conference was themed
‘Empowering Union Members to Deepen, Defend and Advance Workers’ Collective
Bargaining.’
In his address, Dlamini
reflected on what he described as eight years of “trial and triumph” at the
helm of the teachers’ union.
“You entrusted me with this
banner for eight years, from 2018 to 2022 and again from 2022 to (yesterday).
It was not a normal journey,” he said.
He recalled being suspended in
May 2019, saying this came after he stood up for teachers’ interests.
According to Dlamini, he was
reinstated in October 2021 but was subsequently transferred from Mhubhe High
School to Moyeni High School.
He further said his salary was
stopped in September 2022 before he was dismissed in August 2023 for alleged
absenteeism.
Dlamini, however, maintained
that his absence from the classroom was linked to his involvement in
negotiations on behalf of teachers.
“In August 2023, I was
dismissed for ‘absenteeism’ while I was sitting at the negotiation table
fighting for your salaries,” he said.
He claimed that he had won
every court case relating to his disputes with Government but alleged that the
orders had not been honoured.
Despite the challenges,
Dlamini said he was leaving office without bitterness.
“I stand before you today not
bitter but proud because you empowered me and together we turned trials into
triumphs. We put money in teachers’ homes,” he said.
Dlamini also highlighted what
he described as some of the union’s major achievements during his tenure,
including salary improvements.
He said SNAT secured COLA
adjustments in 2022, 2023 and 2024, followed by a salary review in 2025.
“For years government said
there is no money. We forced them to the table and we delivered real
improvement in the economic life of every teacher,” he said.
Dlamini also pointed to the
construction of the E39 million SNAT Conference Centre, saying the project
represented the union’s determination to build its own institutional
infrastructure despite the challenges it faced.
“It will be our own home and
this is proof that even under persecution, an empowered union can build,” he
said.
On pensions, Dlamini urged the
incoming leadership to remain vigilant in defending the Public Service Pension
Fund (PSPF), warning that the issue remained unresolved.
He said SNAT had fought what
he described as attempts to alter the pension system through the courts,
streets and bargaining structures.
 |
Outgoing Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) President Mbongwa Dlamini making his remarks during the conference. (Pic: Kwanele Sibiya)
To read more of
this report, click here
https://www.eswatiniobserver.com/raise-the-bar-on-teachers-demands/
Society urged to promote inclusion of persons with
disabilities
By Sibusisekile Ndlangamandla, eSwatini Positive
News, 1 October 2026
MANZINI: Greater inclusion of
persons with disabilities and acceptance of diversity are essential to
achieving prosperity, as literacy should ensure that everyone has access to
information, opportunities and meaningful participation in society, Eswatini
National Commission for UNESCO Secretary-General Lwandle Simelane has said.
Simelane said society should
ensure that persons with disabilities have opportunities to learn, access
information and participate meaningfully in communities and the economy.
Speaking during literacy day held under the theme “Literacy for People, the Planet
and Prosperity,” where she highlighted the broader role of literacy in creating
inclusive societies.
She said literacy should not
be reduced to the ability to read and write, as it also involves understanding
information, communicating effectively, thinking critically and participating
meaningfully in society.
She said this broader
understanding of literacy was important because people need different skills to
navigate their daily lives and respond to changes in society. “Literacy is so
much more than that,” Simelane said.
Persons with disabilities
should be embraced as part of efforts to achieve prosperity, noting that
diversity should be recognised as a valuable part of society rather than a
reason for exclusion.
Inclusive communities give
people the opportunity to use their abilities, share ideas and contribute to
development. This requires society to consider the different needs of people
when providing access to information, education and other opportunities. She
also highlighted digital literacy as an important skill that enables people to
participate safely and meaningfully in an increasingly digital world.
Financial literacy, she said,
helps people understand money, make informed financial decisions and plan for
the future, while media literacy enables people to distinguish information from
misinformation and fact from opinion. Numeracy also remains important because
it allows people to understand and use numbers in everyday situations.
To read more of
this report, click here
https://eswatinipositivenews.online/society-urged-to-promote-inclusion-of-persons-with-disabilities/
Tough times as fuel prices edge close to E30 per litre
By Nhlanganiso Mkhonta, Times of eSwatini, 1
October 2026
MBABANE: Motorists across
Eswatini will pay E29.40 per litre for petrol from midnight after government
announced a E3.43 increase.
The Ministry of Natural
Resources and Energy announced yesterday that Unleaded Petrol 95 would rise
from E25.97 to E29.40 per litre, while Diesel 0.005 per cent S would increase
from E28.85 to E32.25 per litre. Illuminating paraffin will also increase from
E21.73 to E25.16 per litre. The new prices will take effect at midnight on
Thursday, October 1, 2026, and will therefore apply from tomorrow.
The latest increase comes amid
significant disruption in international oil markets, with government citing
geopolitical tensions, restrictions on shipping routes and damage to refining
infrastructure as key drivers of higher global fuel costs. Crude oil prices
averaged US$102 per barrel in September, compared with US$89 in August. The
ministry said persistent geopolitical tensions had resulted in restrictions on
shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait,
while Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries had added to global fuel-supply
challenges.
These developments have also
increased security and insurance costs associated with transporting petroleum
products.
The Lilangeni also weakened
slightly against the United States Dollar during the period under review,
averaging E16.18 to the Dollar in September compared with E16.14 in August. The
exchange-rate movement added further pressure to the cost of importing fuel
into the country.
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