Eswatini

New passport stamps are in use to curb cross-border crime; they carry advanced security features and are traceable to individual immigration officers, making it significantly harder for criminal networks to manipulate entry and exit records

Chief Justice again has dismissed Anti Corruption Commission warrant of arrest application, stopping Kareem Ashraff’s arrest for allegedly looting billions of public funds and triggering shortage of drugs in hospitals

Seven senior employees at Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation are suspected to be implicated in a copper theft syndicate, facilitating the theft of cables from existing infrastructure and relating to businessman allegedly involved in supply

National Gospel Music Awards saw an overwhelming response from Eswatini’s music community, with over 500 entries from 110 artists within one week of opening nominations; it aim to providing a key platform to talents and reshape the local music industry

Five emaSwati have been chosen as cast members for the South African telenovela ‘Isitha’ and were introduced to the Minister Bongani Nzima before their departure and are sure to boost viewers attention in the country

Zweli Martin Dlamini, editor of Swaziland News, has collected over R40.000.00 from eSwatini businesspeople and senior Government officials to purchase shoes for orphans and vulnerable children in the LaMgabhi eTiyeni Primary School of his home area

Recently opened Magomba Coal Mine is allegedly failing to pay suppliers and sub-contractors; local media report that sub-contractors could halt operations if they are not paid within newly set dates

Rapper Oriiginelle released a new single ‘Nguwe’, together with South African rapper Jay Jody; the track, a fusion of local and foreign sounds, is gathering attention and is expected to become a favourite among Hip Hop fans

In recent years, Eswatini has achieved major milestones in snakebite management, reducing snakebite deaths to zero in the summer season of 2023; results are now threatened by funding cuts, exacerbated by the suspension of US aid

Satu Kahkonen, World Bank Director for Eswatini, stated that the new Public Finance Review Report will lead the collective effort with the government in strengthening fiscal policy, fostering or promoting sustainable economic growth and development

A new project will support the country reach the remaining 12% of the population with electricity access in remote and disadvantaged areas; financed by the World Bank, the plan aims at reaching universal energy access by 2030

The new partnership between Eswatini and Google should increase investor confidence and digitise government services, allowing citizens to conveniently access digitally