Swaziland Newsletter No. 926 – 8 May 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.
May
Day Showdown: eSwatini bans rally, labour union heads to court
By
Victor Ahiuma-Young, Vanguard, 1 May 2026
A tense standoff has emerged in Eswatini
after authorities banned a planned May Day celebration organised by the Trade
Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA), prompting legal action and renewed
criticism from labour leaders.
In a statement issued on May 1, TUCOSWA
Acting Secretary-General, Winile A. Mlotsa, confirmed that the government
prohibited the Workers’ Day gathering, advising members to stay at home or
observe the day in smaller local gatherings.
The union said the authorities justified
the decision on grounds of public safety, though it noted that the restriction
disrupted planned activities and created economic inconvenience for workers.
TUCOSWA had earlier secured approval to
use the Hlathikhulu Central High School sports ground and said it properly
notified relevant authorities more than 20 days in advance, exceeding the
four-day notice requirement under the Public Order Act. Notifications were
submitted to both the Hlatsi Town Board and the Shiselweni Regional
Administration.
However, the Regional Administrator
subsequently blocked the event, arguing that jurisdiction over the venue rested
with a local chief.
The labour federation rejected that
position, insisting that the law assigns such authority to the Regional
Administrator rather than traditional leadership structures.
A legal attempt to overturn the ban failed
when the Shiselweni Magistrate Court dismissed the urgent application on April
30, citing procedural issues, including the failure to join the local chief as
a party to the case.
Despite the setback, TUCOSWA said it is
consulting legal experts on further steps and plans to engage international
stakeholders over what it describes as an infringement on workers’ rights.
“The May Day celebration remains banned
and prohibited by the authorities,” the federation said, indicating that the
dispute is ongoing.
See also
ITUC condemns authorities for banning
May Day trade union celebration (ITUC)
https://www.ituc-csi.org/eswatini-ituc-condemns-authorities
Comment: King Mswati’s May Day ban: The Bhozongo farce and the anatomy of absolute power (Swaziland News)
https://swazilandnews.co.za/articles/34535
TUCOSWA undermined my authority, says
chief (Times of eSwatini)
eSwatini to be reported to the
International Labour Organization (ILO) for banning May Workers Day (Swaziland
News)
https://swazilandnews.co.za/articles/34634
Consumers
bracing for fresh wave of rising costs
By
Stanley Khumalo and Siphosethu Dlamini, Times of eSwatini, 7 May 2026
MBABANE: Consumers are bracing for a fresh
wave of rising living costs after government announced steep fuel price
increases, as transport operators simultaneously push for an immediate 25 per
cent fare hike.
The Swaziland Local Transport Association
(SLTA) says the increase is not a new demand, but the outstanding portion of a
50 per cent adjustment approved in 2014, only half of which was implemented at
the time.
At a meeting held in Manzini yesterday,
attended by transport representatives from across the country, operators
resolved that the remaining 25 per cent should now be effected without delay.
SLTA chairman Ambrose Dlamini said the
association was awaiting a meeting with Minister for Public Works and
Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, to finalise timelines and modalities.
“This is not a new request. It was already
granted. What remains is to implement what was left out,” he said.
Operators argue that the delayed
implementation has been eroded by inflation, rising fuel costs and mounting
operational expenses, leaving the sector under severe financial strain. Many
say current fares barely cover fuel, with little left for maintenance, loan
repayments or profit.
According to the association’s leadership,
the fare adjustment does not require a fresh legislative process, as it was
already approved in principle years ago, but staggered due to economic
considerations at the time. Only half of the increase 25 per cent was
implemented, leaving the remaining portion pending.
Now, operators argue that the prolonged
delay has placed immense financial strain on the sector, making the
implementation of the outstanding adjustment unavoidable.
Association Chairman Ambrose Dlamini
confirmed that the organisation is now awaiting a crucial meeting with the
Minister for Public Works and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza, where the focus
will be on determining the timeline and modalities for rolling out the
increase.
“This is not a new request. This is
something that was already granted. What we are doing now is implementing what
was left out from that 50 per cent adjustment,” he said during the meeting.
He stressed that the association’s
position is that the remaining increment should be treated as an administrative
implementation rather than a fresh proposal requiring parliamentary processes.
Operators at the meeting echoed this
stance, arguing that the long delay in implementing the second phase of the
increase has effectively eroded its value due to inflation, rising fuel costs
and escalating operational expenses.
To read more of this report, click here
See also
Hikes to trigger inflation – BE (eSwatini
Observer)
https://eswatiniobserver.com/fuel-hikes-trigger-inflation-business-eswatini/
Woman
fined E1 000 for reading lover’s messages
By Bongumusa
Simelane, eSwatini Observer, 7 May 2026
A woman has been convicted after she
unlawfully took her boyfriend’s cellphone and went through his WhatsApp
messages.
Bezile Mohale appeared before Pigg’s Peak
Magistrate Innocent Mahlalela where she was charged with contravening Section
77 of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2018.
Mohale is said to have taken Mbuso Mamba’s
Samsung mobile phone valued at E2 000.
The incident occurred yesterday at Glen
Township in Pigg’s Peak.
The accused pleaded guilty and told the
court she did not think that this would escalate into a criminal matter.
She said she had hoped that they would
talk this over with her boyfriend but unfortunately he decided to rope in the
police, which led to her arrest.
Mohale apologised for her actions and she
was regretting what she did.
To read more of this report, click here
https://eswatiniobserver.com/woman-fined-reading-boyfriends-whatsapp-messages/
Human
Rights Commission demands action after Gogo (81) killed over witchcraft claims
By Sifiso
Nhlabatsi, Independent News, eSwatini, 6 May 2026
MBABANE: The Commission on Human Rights
and Public Administration/Integrity has called for urgent national intervention
to protect older persons following the death of an 81-year-old woman who was
allegedly assaulted over accusations of witchcraft in Lavumisa.
This is not the first incident where an
elderly person has been attacked over witchcraft allegations in the country
this year.
The Commission says the killing of the
elderly woman identified as Julia Tsabedze represents a serious violation of
fundamental human rights and reflects a dangerous persistence of harmful
beliefs that place elderly people at risk of violence.
Speaking through Executive Secretary
Phakama Shili, the Commission strongly condemned the incident, describing it as
both unlawful and deeply troubling.
“The Commission expresses deep concern
over reports that an 81-year-old woman, Julia Tsabedze, died after being
assaulted by neighbours following accusations of witchcraft,” Shili said.
“The Commission extends condolences to the
family and condemns this incident as a serious violation of the rights to life,
dignity and security of person.”
The statement comes after police confirmed
the arrest of two men aged 26 and 34 from Qomintaba in connection with the
fatal assault.
According to police reports, the incident
occurred on March 30, 2026, when Tsabedze allegedly left her home at night and
was found wandering along a road in a confused state. It is alleged that the
two suspects encountered her and accused her of practising witchcraft before
assaulting her with an unknown object.
She sustained severe injuries to her head
and body and was initially taken to Matsanjeni Health Centre before being
transferred to Hlathikhulu Government Hospital, where she remained admitted for
two weeks. She was discharged on April 15, 2026, but later died on April 25 due
to complications linked to the injuries sustained during the attack.
To read more of this report, click
here
Taiwan
president visits eSwatini days after blaming China for cancelled trip
BBC,
2 May 2026
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (M) is greeted by Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini (R) on arrival. Source: Taiwan presidential office handout
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has
arrived in Eswatini, days after his government said a trip had been cancelled
due to China pressuring African countries to stop him flying over their
territories.
His visit to Eswatini - Taiwan’s only
diplomatic ally in Africa - followed “days of careful arrangements by the
diplomatic and national security teams”, he said, without giving further
details on how he reached the country.
China described the visit as a “stowaway-style
escape farce”. China views Taiwan as part of its territory with no right to
state-to-state relations.
A US State Department spokesperson said
Lai’s travel was “routine and should not be politicised”.
Images showed Lai being welcomed by
Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini as he walked past a guard of honour.
Taiwan’s delegation also included Foreign
Minister Lin Chia-lung and National Security Council Adviser Alex Huang,
according to its presidential office.
The US State Department spokesperson said “every
democratically elected Taiwan president has made overseas trip to visit Taiwan’s
diplomatic partners”, including Lai’s predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, who visited
Eswatini in 2023 and 2018.
“Taiwan is a trusted and capable partner
of the United States and many others, and its relationships around the world
provide significant benefits to the citizens of those countries, including
Eswatini,” the spokesperson said.
Lai’s visit this time was not announced in
advance by either government.
The trip had originally
been set for 22 to 26 April, to mark the 40th anniversary of Eswatini’s
King Mswati III’s accession. It was suspended after Taiwan said Seychelles,
Mauritius and Madagascar had unilaterally revoked flight permits for Lai’s
aircraft to cross airspace they manage, citing Chinese pressure.
On social media, Lai said: “Taiwan will
never be deterred by external pressures. Our resolve & commitment are
underpinned by the understanding that Taiwan will continue to engage with the
world - no matter the challenges faced.”
[ … ] On Friday, China scrapped tariffs
for all African countries, except Eswatini.
To read more of this report, click here
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c809ln029ldo
See also
President Lai arrives in Eswatini,
pledges stronger ties (Focus Taiwan)
https://focustaiwan.tw/video/004354045
eSwatini facing financial crisis
after King Mswati’s over R300million extravagant 40 years on Throne celebration
(Swaziland News)
https://swazilandnews.co.za/articles/34670
The next Swaziland Newsletter will be published on 22 May 2026
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