Latest news with #Mbabane
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
5 men deported to eSwatini from US spark public outcry, protests
In the small African kingdom of eSwatini, the arrival of five men deported from the United States under Washington's aggressive anti-immigrant measures has sparked a rare wave of public dissent. The five nationals of Vietnam, Laos, Yemen, Cuba and Jamaica, were flown to Eswatini's administrative capital of Mbabane on July 16 on a US military plane and incarcerated after US authorities labelled them 'criminal illegal aliens'. The US Department of Homeland Security said the men were convicted of violent crimes 'so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back.' The government of eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has confirmed their presence. But spokesman Thabile Mdluli said they would not stay permanently and 'will be repatriated in due course to their different countries.' That assurance, though, has not quelled a tide of questions and concerns that have risen within the kingdom about the operation.
France 24
2 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Questions swell in Eswatini over five men deported from US
The five, nationals of Vietnam, Laos, Yemen, Cuba and Jamaica, were flown to Eswatini's administrative capital of Mbabane on July 16 on a US military plane and incarcerated after US authorities labelled them "criminal illegal aliens". The US Department of Homeland Security said the men were convicted of violent crimes "so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back". The government of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has confirmed their presence. But spokesman Thabile Mdluli said they would not stay permanently, and "will be repatriated in due course to their different countries". That assurance, though, has not quelled a tide of questions and concerns that has risen within the kingdom about the operation. Civic and rights groups are wondering whether further deportees from the United States will arrive, and what rights the five men detained have. Public outrage at the lack of transparency led to 150 women protesting outside the US embassy in Mbabane on Friday. The protest, organised by the Eswatini Women's Movement, demanded the prisoners be returned to the United States and queried the legal basis Eswatini relied on to accept them. The five men are being held in the Matsapha Correctional Centre, 30 kilometres (20 miles) south of Mbabane. The facility, notorious for holding political prisoners and overcrowding, has been undergoing renovations and expansions since 2018, reportedly funded by the United States as part of a program covering all 14 of the country's penal centres. Solitary confinement Sources within the penitentiary administration said the men were being held in solitary confinement in a high-security section of the facility, with their requests to make phone calls being denied. The sources said the men have access to medical care and the same meals as the thousand other inmates, as well as a toilet, shower and television in their cells. Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has dismissed calls by lawmakers and from other quarters for the secrecy surrounding the agreement with Washington to be lifted. "Not every decision or agreement is supposed to be publicly shared," he said. Eswatini is the second African country to receive such deportees from the United States, after South Sudan earlier this month accepted eight individuals. The situation has sparked concerns about the potential implications for Eswatini, a country already grappling with its own challenges under the absolute monarchy of King Mswati III. The 57-year-old ruler has been criticised for his lavish lifestyle and has faced accusations of human rights violations. US President Donald Trump has used the threat of high tariffs against other countries, such as Colombia, to coerce them to take in people deported from America. Eswatini is currently facing a baseline US tariff of 10 percent -- less than the 30 percent levelled at neighbouring South Africa -- which the government has said will negatively impact the economy. Trump has directed federal agencies to work hard on his campaign promise to expel millions of undocumented migrants from the United States. His government has turned to so-called third-country deportations in cases where the home nations of some of those targeted for removal refuse to accept them.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Questions swell in Eswatini over five men deported from US
MBABANE: In the small African kingdom of Eswatini, the arrival of five men deported from the United States under Washington's aggressive anti-immigrant measures has sparked a rare wave of public dissent. The five, nationals of Vietnam, Laos, Yemen, Cuba and Jamaica, were flown to Eswatini's administrative capital of Mbabane on July 16 on a US military plane and incarcerated after US authorities labelled them 'criminal illegal aliens.' The US Department of Homeland Security said the men were convicted of violent crimes 'so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back.' The government of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has confirmed their presence. But spokesman Thabile Mdluli said they would not stay permanently, and 'will be repatriated in due course to their different countries.' That assurance, though, has not quelled a tide of questions and concerns that has risen within the kingdom about the operation. Civic and rights groups are wondering whether further deportees from the United States will arrive, and what rights the five men detained have. Public outrage at the lack of transparency led to 150 women protesting outside the US embassy in Mbabane on Friday. The protest, organized by the Eswatini Women's Movement, demanded the prisoners be returned to the United States and queried the legal basis Eswatini relied on to accept them. The five men are being held in the Matsapha Correctional Center, 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Mbabane. The facility, notorious for holding political prisoners and overcrowding, has been undergoing renovations and expansions since 2018, reportedly funded by the United States as part of a program covering all 14 of the country's penal centers. Sources within the penitentiary administration said the men were being held in solitary confinement in a high-security section of the facility, with their requests to make phone calls being denied. The sources said the men have access to medical care and the same meals as the thousand other inmates, as well as a toilet, shower and television in their cells. Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has dismissed calls by lawmakers and from other quarters for the secrecy surrounding the agreement with Washington to be lifted. 'Not every decision or agreement is supposed to be publicly shared,' he said. Eswatini is the second African country to receive such deportees from the United States, after South Sudan earlier this month accepted eight individuals. The situation has sparked concerns about the potential implications for Eswatini, a country already grappling with its own challenges under the absolute monarchy of King Mswati III. The 57-year-old ruler has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle and has faced accusations of human rights violations. US President Donald Trump has used the threat of high tariffs against other countries, such as Colombia, to coerce them to take in people deported from America. Eswatini is currently facing a baseline US tariff of 10 percent — less than the 30 percent levelled at neighboring South Africa — which the government has said will negatively impact the economy. Trump has directed federal agencies to work hard on his campaign promise to expel millions of undocumented migrants from the United States. His government has turned to so-called third-country deportations in cases where the home nations of some of those targeted for removal refuse to accept them. Rights experts have warned the US deportations risk breaking international law by sending people to nations where they face the risk of torture, abduction and other abuses.
News24
15-07-2025
- Business
- News24
She's back! MaMkhize returns as president of Mbabane Highlanders AM FC
After weathering the storm of a SARS setback, businesswoman, philanthropist, and football enthusiast Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize is back in the spotlight, stronger than ever, and this time, she's taking the helm at Mbabane Highlanders FC as its new president. She entered into a three-year contract to oversee the leadership of the club. Her appointment comes after her tumultuous exit from Royal AM FC (Pty) Ltd, which faced financial setbacks, including a R40 million tax debt with South African Revenue Services (SARS), and eventual expulsion from the Premier Soccer League. Read more | MaMkhize speaks out on unpaid salaries, confirms Royal AM is under curatorship In March, Royal AM FC (Pty) Ltd was put up for sale after the SARS curator, Jaco Venter, issued a public bid notice announcing that the club is to be auctioned to recoup the R40 million MaMkhize owed in tax. As part of her vision, the club has been rebranded as Mbabane Highlanders AM Football Club, incorporating her son Andile Mpisane's 'AM' trademark. The new club crest blends the original black and white colours with gold elements from Royal AM FC. On Sunday, July 13, 2025, she took to her Instagram to announce the news via a compilation video showing her, her sister, her son - Andile Mpisane, his wife - Tamia Mpisane, and other members all dressed in all black clothes attending the ceremony and celebrating their comeback with MaMkhize also writing on her stories 'Bounce back, bounce back.' 'A new chapter written with purpose, vision and heart. Leading with honour, the Highlanders' way,' reads the caption of the video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr. Shauwn Mkhize (@kwa_mammkhize)
Mail & Guardian
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Diary: Jembaa Groove in Southern Africa, Lady Zamar release new single, enjoy Hey Hillbrow! Let's Dlala!
Electrifying: Jembaa Groove, based in Berlin, Germany, is bringing their sound to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Mbabane. Jembaa Groove to tour Southern Africa The Goethe-Institut, in partnership with The Dig Global (South Africa) and Jazz refreshed (UK), brings the Berlin collective Jembaa Groove to Southern Africa for the first time as part of this year's Afrodiaspora Connection. Riding high on the success of their acclaimed 2022 debut album Susuma, the band is taking their genre-bending sound on tour across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Mbabane. Led by Ghanaian vocalist-percussionist Eric Owusu and German bassist/producer Yannick Nolting, Jembaa Groove seamlessly blends Seventies Ghanaian highlife sounds with jazz, soul and Afrobeat, offering a bold reimagining of African diasporic music. With past collaborations including legends like Tony Allen and Ebo Taylor, and performances at SXSW and BBC Maida Vale Studios, they bring a polished yet raw energy to the stage. Catch them live this Africa Month — their rhythm is global, their sound unmistakably fresh. Lady Zamar releases Russian Roulette Lady Zamar returns with a striking new single Russian Roulette, marking a fearless leap into her summer era. The award-winning South African singer, songwriter, and producer delivers an emotionally rich track that's as playful as it is poignant — built around a friendship dancing dangerously close to romance. Known for her genre-defying artistry, Lady Zamar leans into Afrobeat, house and soul influences while blending cinematic storytelling with a polished pop sensibility. The song's standout moment? A bold switch to West African pidgin, underscoring her pan-African evolution. With a hook that channels the thrill of Truth or Dare, Russian Roulette invites listeners into a world of vulnerability, desire and high emotional stakes. Listen on all streaming platforms. Hey, Hillbrow! Let's Dlala Dancing in the streets: A parade will take place, starting from the Windybrow Arts Centre in Hillbrow, on Saturday 24 May. This Africa Month, the streets of Johannesburg come alive with the return of the vibrant Hey Hillbrow! Let's Dlala! street parade, happening on Saturday 24 May. Starting at 10am at The Windybrow Arts Centre, the sixth edition of this annual celebration promises a kaleidoscope of sound, colour and community. The parade winds through Hillbrow and Doornfontein, led by the Ezase Vaal Brass Band and featuring aerial spectacles from The Cirk. The post-parade music concert promises live sets by Thamsanqa Vuthela Band, Mozambique's The Dizzy Brains and Styles Da Deejay from The Creators Room. Curated by Tamzyn Botha and Daniel Buckland, and supported by a host of grassroots organisations, and featuring recycled costume creations by the African Reclaimers Organisation, Hey Hillbrow! transforms urban space into a playground of joy, art and protest. — Lesego Chepape
