SA President Subpoenaed by Public Protector over Phala Phala Robbery. Eswatini Daily News By: Muzi Dlamini South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been subpoenaed by the country’s Public Protector over the theft of millions at his Phala Phala Farm. This comes after Ramaphosa had requested an extension to the July 18 deadline to make submissions relating to an investigation into allegations of a violation of the Executive Code of Ethics against him. The President initially had 14 days to respond to questions from Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka but requested an extension of four weeks which was granted. Public Protector spokesperson Oupa Segalwe said the deadline was on Mandela Day, but he again requested another extension which was declined. “The PPSA will therefore be invoking its subpoena powers in line with section 7(4) (a) of the Public Protector Act 23 of 1994, read with section 5 thereof. Section 7(4) (a) provides that: For the purposes of conducting an investigation, the Public Protector may direct any person to submit an affidavit or affirmed declaration or to appear before him or her to give evidence or to provide any document in his or her possession or under his or her control which has a bearing on a matter being investigated and may examine such person,” Segalwe said. Ramaphosa’s woes started when former State Security Head Arthur Fraser laid a criminal charge against him for concealing the robbery and not reporting it to the police. Fraser claimed that $4 million (E68 million) had been stolen in 2020, and the suspects were hunted down, captured, tortured, and part of the loot returned. They were allegedly also paid E150 000 to keep quiet about the incident. Following that, a complaint was lodged with the Public Protector last month by the leader of the African Transformation Movement, Vuyo Zungula. That was followed by three further complaints, one filed by the Democratic Alliance and two by public members. Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane confirmed that an investigation would follow. Shortly after that, Ramaphosa suspended her, pending the outcome of a Parliament’s section 194 inquiry into her fitness to hold office.

Face Masks Nolonger Mandatory. Eswatini Daily News By: Ntombi Mhlongo Following a decrease in the number of cases and deaths due to COVID-19, government has announced a relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions with effect from today. The relaxation comes with good news in that the wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory in all settings as has been the case in the past months. This was announced by the Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini who said government has taken the decision to de-escalate the COVID-19 response by migrating from the current Adjusted Risk Level 1 to Adjusted Risk Level 0. Adjusted Risk Level 0 means shifting from the acute emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to allow for long term sustainable integrated approach to COVID-19. “However, individuals will be free to wear a face mask based on their assessment of perceived risk of acquiring COVID-19 in any given situation. Hand-washing and sanitisation is encouraged at all times in all public spaces as a good health and hygiene practice. A person exhibiting flu-like symptoms should take the responsibility to wear a face mask or, where possible, refrain from attending public gatherings,” the PM said. He highlighted that testing for COVID-19 remains key for all persons experiencing flu-like symptoms and if tested positive, a person should wear face masks at all times if they need to go to public areas. “Visitors and returning residents will be required to be fully vaccinated. For fully vaccinated persons entering the country, a negative PCR test result is not required. For those who are not fully vaccinated, a negative PCR test is required,” he emphasised. Furthermore, the PM urged everyone eligible to vaccinate to do so, for their own health.

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Pastor Wins MTN’s Walala Wasala E100 000 Grand Prize. Eswatini Daily News By: Bahle Gama A pastor has won the Eswatini MTN E100 000 grand prize in the first edition (1.0) of the Walala wasala competition. 74-year-old Shadrack Maphosa of the Siphocosini area who is a pastor at a church called Philip Number Two is a Swazi Can retiree, who said he was taken aback by the win as he was not expecting it. He stated that the win had come as a shock to him, and he was yet to think what he would do with the money adding that “however, tithes are the first thing I will be paying, then a bit to help around at church”. He continued that he was grateful to MTN for such a competition as it also helped in killing time and redeveloping his mind in terms of reminding and teaching him of the things, he had forgotten about that were very educational. “Whilst playing, I would find myself wracking my brain for an answer to questions that one would think the answer is easy to and, in the process, find myself learning, and I should say it is quite an interesting experience,” he said. He admitted that even though he was playing to win, the most enticing part of the process was partaking in the quizzes which he used as a breather from daily routines and reading the bible and would often at times get upset if he got an answer wrong that however, did not dampen his spirit to continue playing. Five others were also awarded E5 000 each and these are Treasure Nkomane, Mbongiseni Mavimbela, Nelsiwe Thwala, Leornard Dlamini, and Lungile Mkhatshwa, who each expressed their delight over the win and promised to partake in the second edition of the competition. According to MTN Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Meshack Maseko, the competition was a way of giving back to customers in a time when everyone is faced with the respective hikes. He further stated that the second edition (2.0) of the competition was already up and running and urged customers to participate. In this edition, customers are expected to join by sending JOIN to 7080 where they will be charged E0.99 per day and receive five questions which entail a quiz about general and local questions.

‘Sikhali’ Late Penalty Rescues Sihlangu. By: Lwazi Dlamini In Durban (King Zwelithini Stadium) ………..Referee’s optional time penalty by marksman Sabelo Ndzinisa saves Sihlangu some blushes as the dream of a quarter-final qualification remains very much alive. Like a cat with nine lives, the national team, Sihlangu pulled a rabbit out of a hat when top striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa converted a penalty in referee’s optional time to force a 1-all draw with Malawi’s Flames at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday afternoon. The draw keeps Sihlangu’s dream of qualifying for the quarter-finals where Senegal’s Teranga Lions lie in waiting, very much alive. Zambian referee Hamalila Moonje was brave enough to award a late penalty after Malawian defender Precious Sambani upended late substitute Leon Manyisa inside the box in the 90+2 minutes. ‘Sikhali’ stepped up to convert his second goal of this year’s tournament and his seventh in history. The Mbabane Highlanders sharp-shooter is now two goals away from matching the COSAFA Cup leading goal-scorer, Felix Badenhorst’s record of nine goals. Eswatini will face Lesotho on Sunday here at the King Zwelithini Stadium in what is a decider of Group B. Sihlangu won a bronze medal in the same tournament last year in Port Elizabeth. Playing too deep and allowing the Malawians to run at them, Sihlangu failed to click like they did against Mauritius in the 3-0 opening win on Wednesday. Dominic Kunene’s decision to bring in Neliswa Dlamini ahead of midfielder Sifiso ‘Junior’ Magagula, who had started the first match, looked to be a big gamble as the Manzini Wanderers midfielder, on his debut, struggled to keep up with the marauding Simba FC trickster, Peter Banda who was a joy to watch in the belly of the park. A minute into the second half, Sihlangu conceded when the flat-footed defence was caught ball-watching by Khuda Myaba who scored from an awkward angle to give the ‘Flames’ the lead. Wing wizard Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba should have levelled matters six minutes after the hour-mark but he shot narrowly wide.

It's One Game At A Time 'Sikhali' By: Lwazi Dlamini In Durban (At King Zwelethini Stadium) After the commanding 3-0 win over Mauritius at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday, national team marksman Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa is not counting Sihlangu ‘chickens before they hatch’. Ndzinisa, who netted his fifth goal in the history of the tournament to be now four-goals shy of leading scorer Felix Badenhorst, believes it is time for the team to remain focused and not get too excited. “I think we tried very hard against Mauritius and got a good result even though I feel we could have scored more goals because in the end this group might be decided on goals. But we need to take one game at a time and not be too excited at this stage,” Ndzinisa warned. He said Friday’s clash against Malawi will be a tough encounter. “Yes, they lost but they finished strongly against Lesotho. We need to be focused because it is never going to be an easy game. We will give it our all,” he said. Sihlangu who top Group B face Malawi, who lost 1-2 to Lesotho, on Friday at the King Zwelithini Stadium in a do or die clash. Kickoff time is 2:00pm.

Murders of Police Officers Triggers Suppression of Terrorism Act Notice as Government Fingers Terrorists. Eswatini Daily News 30 June 2022 Zweli Martin Dlamini, who is popularly known as ‘Zwemart’ and his online publication Swaziland News, have been officially declared as terrorists. This was done by the Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini through Legal Notice No 261 of 2022. The PM did this through the exercise of his powers conferred on him by Section 28(2) of the Suppression of Terrorism Act, 2008. The notice states that ‘Zwemart’ and Swaziland News are to be specified entities under the Act with immediate effect in that they knowingly facilitate commission of terrorist acts. This comes after the office and person of the Attorney-General Sifiso Khumalo through a letter drew the PM’s attention to Section 28 of the Suppression of Terrorism Act 2008, which provides that provides that where the Attorney-General, the Commissioner or person responsible for the prevention of corruption or other investigative or financial body has reasonable grounds to believe that an entity has knowingly committed, attempted to commit, participated in committing or facilitated the commission of, a terrorist act. The Act further holds that where they have reasonable grounds to believe that an entity is knowingly acting on behalf of, at the direction of or in association with, an entity referred to in paragraph above, the AG, or any of the other persons mentioned in this subsection after consultation with the AG may recommend to the Minister that a Notice be made in respect to the person. “Subsection 2 reads; where the Minister is satisfied that the material to support the recommendation made under subsection (1), the Minister may by notice published in the government gazette declare the entity in respect of which the recommendation has been made to be a specified entity,” the letter reads. The AG said Zwemart had on numerous occasions and at different intervals published articles online under the banner of Swaziland News and on his Facebook page that instigated violence, the burning of public, and state property, the seizure of state power and overthrow of lawful government.

Mbabane at noon - 29 June 2022

Mhlaleni This Morning - 29 June 2022

Eswatini To Take The Lead In Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Agenda. Eswatini Daily News 26 June 2022 By Ntombi Mhlongo The Kingdom of Eswatini assumed the role of being one of the champions in the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) Agenda. That transpired yesterday in Rwanda where Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade attended a side event meeting titled “The Commonwealth Blue Charter and the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) Agenda” representing Minister of Natural Resources & Energy. At the meeting, high-level panelists (ministers/their designates) discussed the Action Group model, the importance of partnerships, progress, lessons learned along the way, and reflect on what more needs to be done to accelerate ambition into action. The side event featured the announcement of the new Commonwealth Blue Project incubator, and the launch of CSET Action Groups on Energy Literacy and Geothermal Energy. In the same event, The Kingdom of Eswatini has stepped forward to champion on geothermal energy and energy literacy, respectively, as part of the CSET Agenda. Under the new role as one of the Champion countries under the CSET Agenda, Eswatini will take lead in forming voluntary coalitions made up of member countries willing to work together to develop shared strategies and align action on each respective issue. In his statement, Minister Khumalo invited other countries to join the Action Group on energy literacy.