SIPHOFANENI – Claims have emerged that unskilled foreign nationals are taking over simple jobs that could be performed by emaSwati at the Strategic Oil Reserve Facility at Phuzamoya. The facility is a E5.2 billion infrastructure project designed to safeguard the nation against fuel shortages and price shocks. Managed by the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC), the facility aims to store 80 million litres of fuel, diesel and unleaded petrol, equivalent to approximately 60 days of national consumption. The tender for the project was awarded to WBHO Construction, one of the largest construction and engineering groups in Southern Africa, founded in 1970. The project is expected to create jobs for emaSwati over the next 30 months. The claims were confirmed by workers in the presence of the Minister for Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, Principal Secretary Makhosini Mndawe, Chief Immigration Officer Mthokozisi Dlamini and Labour Commissioner Kingdom Mamba. The senior...

MBABANE – Green Lightning’s women came within a goal of upsetting the defending champions, but exited the Find the Ball Netball Tournament in heartbreaking fashion. The Lightning ladies bowed out of the competition after a dramatic 51-50 defeat to the defending champions Jwaneng Netball Club at the University of Botswana on July 19. The Eswatini side delivered one of their finest displays of the competition, matching the title holders throughout a fiercely-contested encounter that was only decided in the closing moments. Lightning took to the court with confidence, combining quick attacking play, disciplined defending and accurate shooting to keep pace with the defending champions across all four quarters. Neither side managed to establish a decisive advantage as the lead changed hands several times. Every interception, turnover and successful shot intensified the contest, with both teams displaying composure under pressure. The Eswatini outfit drew level at 50-50 heading into the final...

MANZINI – The Apostolic Faith Church International Board has resolved that the Mfabantfu branch will resume church services in a month’s time. This decision comes after three weeks without services. The suspension of services at the Apostolic Faith Church International branch at Mfabantfu, Matsapha, follows one of the most shocking criminal discoveries in Eswatini’s history. The pastor in question, 40-year-old Nkosingiphile Allan Zwane, was arrested following a breakthrough in police investigations. He currently faces six severe criminal charges, including four counts of murder and two counts under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act. According to court records and police files, Zwane allegedly lured the women by connecting with them on Facebook or during commutes, often promising them employment opportunities or a lunch outing. Once he brought them to the church premises, he allegedly raped and murdered them inside the building. He is then accused of wrapping their bodies...

MATSAPHA – A six-month trail of missing sweets worth E1.8 million has ended with five arrests after an alleged stock theft scheme was uncovered in a Matsapha warehouse. The suspects, including a supermarket owner and individuals linked to the warehouse operations, are accused of stealing various bulk stocks of Halls sweets and Chappies chewing gum from the Logico warehouse between January and June 2026. The alleged theft was discovered on July 11, 2026, when warehouse checks were conducted and it was realised that a large quantity of stock had disappeared over several months. According to sources, the missing stock was valued at E1.8 million. The five suspects were arrested following investigations into the alleged disappearance of the warehouse stock. On the other hand, one of the international corporations in Matsapha is said to have reported to the police that it had been swindled out on about E1 million. The fraud,...

MBABANE — As the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games approach, Eswatini’s sprinting powerhouse Mlandvo Maziya is gearing up to lock horns with Africa’s fastest men on the global stage.  The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) athlete, who has established domestic dominance across the short sprints, is officially spearheading the country’s track ambitions in Scotland. The global multi-sport event will run from July 23 to August 2, 2026, with the eagerly-awaited athletics programme scheduled to take over Scotstoun Stadium from July 27 to  August 1. Standing between Maziya and ultimate track glory are continental heavyweights, who have already laid down serious markers for the season. Kenya’s reigning Commonwealth champion Ferdinand Omanyala recently clocked a blistering 10.00 seconds at his national trials, while South Africa’s veteran speedster Akani Simbine anchors a fearsomely deep Proteas squad hungry for podium finishes. The field is further complicated by rising stars like teenage sensation Bayanda Walaza and...