Swaziland
Newsletter No. 933 – 3 July 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.
Compulsory DNA testing motion must go to constituencies for public views before adoption – Marwick
BY Mfanufikile Khathwane, eSwatini Positive News, 1 July 2026
LOBAMBA: Lomdzala Member
of Parliament Marwick Khumalo has called for emaSwati to be consulted before
Parliament decides on the motion seeking to make DNA testing compulsory before
the issuance of birth certificates.
Speaking during debate in the
House of Assembly, Marwick Khumalo said the issue should first be taken to
constituencies across the country so that citizens can express their views
before Parliament adopts any resolution.
He said the proposal had
far-reaching social, legal and financial implications and should not be decided
without consulting the people. Khumalo added that compulsory DNA testing could
help address cases where the identity of a child’s biological father is
unknown, reducing the burden on Government in supporting children whose fathers
cannot be traced. He said the matter would generate significant public interest
and deserved national consultation.
The call for constituency
consultations was, however, challenged by some Members of Parliament.
Sandile Nxumalo opposed
compulsory DNA testing, arguing that forcing every parent to undergo the
process would make everyone a suspect despite having done nothing wrong. He
questioned how citizens’ constitutional right to privacy would be protected and
maintained that DNA testing should remain a personal choice rather than a legal
requirement. He also disagreed with taking the matter to constituencies.
Ndzingeni Member of Parliament
Mduduzi Magagula also rejected the proposal for constituency consultations,
saying Members of Parliament were elected because the people trusted them to
make decisions on their behalf. He further opposed the motion, warning that compulsory
DNA testing could result in some children failing to obtain birth certificates
where their fathers are unknown, potentially affecting their access to
essential services.
His views were supported by
the Mhlume Member of Parliament and the Manzini Regional Member of Parliament,
who also opposed the motion. They argued that implementing mandatory DNA
testing would place an additional financial burden on Government.
Earlier in the debate,
Mangcongco Member of Parliament Lomalanga Dlamini cautioned that making DNA
testing compulsory could have unintended consequences, including an increase in
divorce cases and family disputes.
Supporting the motion,
Mtfongwaneni Member of Parliament Nathi Hlophe said it was emotionally
devastating for people to discover later in life that they did not belong to
the family that raised them. He said some women falsely identify men as fathers
of their children, causing emotional pain and financial hardship. Hlophe argued
that mandatory DNA testing would establish the truth from birth and help
resolve cases where one child is being supported by multiple men claiming or
being made to believe they are the father.
The parliamentary debate
follows concerns previously raised by the Minister for Home Affairs, Princess
Lindiwe, who opposed the proposal when it was first introduced. The Minister
argued that making DNA testing compulsory for every birth would be costly for
Government, could create unnecessary public conflict and would not align with
some of Eswatini’s cultural values.
She also noted that only a
small percentage of births involve disputed paternity and called for extensive
public consultations before any legislative changes are considered.
The proposal remains under
parliamentary consideration and has not become law.
See also
Compulsory DNA testing could trigger
divorces, MPs warn (Times of eSwatini)
Compulsory DNA
testing proposal sparks debate (Saturday Observer, eSwatini)
https://www.eswatiniobserver.com/mens-symposium-compulsory-dna-testing-proposal-sparks-debate/
Five years later: eSwatini still awaits truth, justice
and accountability
Opinion
by Abigail Jele, Swaziland News, 29 June 2026
Today, 29 June 2026, marks five years since one of the darkest chapters in Eswatini’s modern history.
The political uprising of June
2021 left families shattered, communities traumatized, and a nation searching
for answers that have yet to come.
During those days, scores of
emaSwati lost their lives amid widespread unrest and the security response that
followed.
Among those remembered today
were fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, students, workers, community leaders,
and individuals who had dedicated themselves to defending the rights and
dignity of others.
Many families continue to live
with the pain of losing loved ones, while survivors continue to bear the
physical and psychological scars of the violence.
Five years have passed, yet
many questions remain unanswered.
Families who buried their
loved ones are still waiting for justice. Many continue to seek independent
investigations into the deaths and injuries that occurred during the June 2021
events.
For them, remembrance is not
only about honouring those who died—it is also about demanding truth,
accountability, and guarantees that such events will never happen again.
The legacy of June 2021
extends beyond those who lost their lives. In the years that followed, Eswatini
continued to experience restrictions on civic space, arrests of activists,
attacks on journalists and human rights defenders, and an environment where
many citizens have expressed fear about exercising their constitutional rights
to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The memory of those who died reminds us that human rights are not abstract
ideals. They are about the right to live, to speak freely, to participate in
public life, and to hold differing opinions without fear of violence or
repression.
As we light candles and
remember the lives lost, we must also remember the families left behind the
children who grew up without parents, the parents who buried their children,
and the communities forever changed by those tragic days.
Justice delayed continues to
deepen wounds. Accountability is not about revenge; it is about acknowledging
harm, establishing the truth, providing remedies to victims, and rebuilding
public trust in institutions. Without accountability, reconciliation becomes
difficult, and the cycle of pain continues.
Five years later, the names of
those who lost their lives have not been forgotten. Their memories live on in
the calls for justice, dignity, democracy, and respect for human rights. Their
families deserve answers.
The nation deserves the truth.
As Eswatini reflects on this solemn anniversary, may we honour every life lost
by renewing our commitment to peace, dialogue, justice, and the protection of
fundamental human rights for all.
May those who lost their lives
in June 2021 never be forgotten. May truth prevail. May justice finally be
served.
See also
PUDEMO Youth
League remembers emaSwati killed during June 2021 political unrest (Swaziland
News)
https://swazilandnews.co.za/articles/36306
Mental Health for Men: Women leaders abuse male
employees
By Kwanele Sibiya, eSwatini Observer, 1
July 2026
Some women in positions of
authority are using their power to abuse male employees in the workplace.
This was revealed by prominent
South African relationship therapist, motivational speaker and television
personality Thabang Mashego during the second annual Build Him Men’s Symposium
2026 held on Friday at the Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre.
With the theme being ‘Mental
Health for Men: Stress, Depression and Burnout,’ Mashego made the intervention
during an interactive question-and-answer session, where discussions centred on
the challenges men face both at home and in the workplace.
She said while significant
efforts had been made to educate men about gender-based violence and abuse,
there was an equally pressing need to educate women, particularly those in
positions of authority, on the misuse of power.
According to Mashego, some
female managers were abusing male subordinates by taking advantage of their
senior positions, creating unhealthy and exploitative working environments.
Supporting Mashego’s
sentiments, Sergeant Thobeka Mathunjwa from the Manzini Regional Police
Headquarters said cases of abuse against men were real and should not be
dismissed.
Presenting on ‘Understanding
Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence in the Workplace,’ Mathunjwa said men
experienced verbal, physical and sexual abuse, but many chose to remain silent
due to fear of stigma.
He said verbal abuse often had
devastating psychological consequences, including stress, depression and, in
some instances, sexual dysfunction among male victims.
Mathunjwa observed that
despite the country having only one female correctional facility, many men
remained victims of abuse because they were generally reluctant to report
offences committed against them.
He explained that many male
victims internalised their trauma, which sometimes manifested as anger and
violent behaviour.
“There is no shame in
reporting abuse. Men must come forward and seek justice instead of suffering in
silence,” he urged.
On the other hand, Mathunjwa
also warned that workplace sexual exploitation constituted a criminal offence
under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of 2018.
To read more of
this report, click here
https://www.eswatiniobserver.com/women-leaders-abuse-male-employees/
‘Pastors among biggest clients of sex workers’
By Phiwase Phungwayo, Sunday Observer
(eSwatini), 28 June 2026
Pastors are among the
country’s biggest clients of sex workers, a trend that reflects deeper identity
and mental health struggles that many men silently battle.
This was revealed by Pastor
and Counsellor Clement Dlamini. Dlamini made the remarks during a men’s mental
health discussion held as part of The Clinic Group’s Annual Family Fun Day –
Father’s Day Edition at Manzini Clinic yesterday. Held under the theme, ‘Strong
families start with healthy men’, the event promoted family wellness and
mental health awareness by offering health talks, access to mental health
professionals, family activities and health education.
Addressing attendees during
the Esangweni Health Talks, Dlamini said many men sought validation through
unhealthy means because they had never developed a secure sense of identity.
He said one of the greatest
misconceptions among men was believing that their worth was determined by the
number of women they slept with, instead of recognising that their value was
inherent.
According to Dlamini, this
distorted understanding of masculinity often persisted even after marriage,
leaving some men dissatisfied and searching for fulfilment elsewhere.
Drawing from his experience as
both a pastor and counsellor, he revealed that he had counselled pastors who
had become involved with other women despite being married.
“I have counselled pastors,
who have come to me after becoming involved with other women. Some even end up
buying sex,” he said.
Dlamini further claimed that
available data placed pastors among the largest consumers of sex work in the
country.
To read more of
this report, click here
https://www.eswatiniobserver.com/pastors-among-biggest-clients-of-sex-workers/
eSwatini strengthens safeguards against sexual
harassment in higher education institutions
By Gcwalisile Mhlabane, eSwatini Positive News,
1 July 2026
MBABANE: The Kingdom of
Eswatini continues to strengthen efforts to combat the growing incidence of
sexual harassment and gender-based violence in higher education institutions as
Government, universities and civil society organisations intensify collaboration
to create safer learning environments for students.
According to research
findings, one in four women aged 19 to 24 in Eswatini has experienced sexual
violence in their lifetime, while students in higher education institutions are
four times more likely to experience sexual assault than their non-student peers.
These findings were revealed during a Dialogue on Violence Prevention in Higher
Education, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane on June 30, 2026, under the
Litsemba Rising initiative.
The dialogue was convened to
share findings and lessons from the Litsemba Rising initiative while
strengthening collaboration among Government, higher education institutions,
civil society organisations and the media to prevent sexual harassment and
gender-based violence in institutions of higher learning. It also sought to
promote stronger institutional safeguarding policies, improve reporting and
response mechanisms, build the capacity of staff and students, and encourage
responsible media reporting that supports survivors while helping to change
harmful social norms.
The engagement brought
together representatives from Women Unlimited Eswatini, Bantwana Initiative
Eswatini, the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), the Ministry of Education and
Training, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, the Eswatini Media Editors’ Forum
and other stakeholders committed to advancing safer learning spaces.
Speaking during the dialogue,
Women Unlimited Eswatini Founder and Executive Director Vimbai Kapurura said
the Litsemba Rising initiative was established to address sexual harassment in
higher education institutions through evidence-based interventions, research
and strategic partnerships.
She said the initiative, which
has been implemented since 2024 in partnership with Bantwana Initiative
Eswatini, is supported by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of
Education and Training, UNESCO, university management and a research team led
by Dr Shabalala.
To read more of
this report, click here
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