By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini has named Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze as the 2025 Swaziland News “newsmaker” of the year.

Fakudze who has been demanding contributions known as “litiya la-Commander” from soldiers, made headlines amid allegations of corruption within the Army.

The Army Commander stands accused of stealing millions from the soldiers Burial Fund, Hlalawati Savings and Cooperatives and allegedly owns over two hundred (200) cattle paid as bribes by aspiring soldiers and officials seeking promotions.

SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff takes the second spot, the businessman of Indonesian origin made headlines on this Swaziland News for allegedly stealing billions of public funds, resulting in the shortage of drugs in public hospitals.

But Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) subsequently applied for a warrant of arrest against Ashraff and the matter is before the Supreme Court after Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala dismissed the application.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo takes the third (3rd) spot, Nxumalo made headlines as a Spokesperson and as a child rape accused, he is currently fighting Government demanding his unpaid salaries. Alpheous Nxumalo gave this publication an exclusive interview, blasting the Prime Minister in a widely circulated audio, he said “sonkhe sina-two (2) kute indvodza lena-four (4)”.

Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini takes the fourth (4th) spot, he “signed a controversial dumping of dangerous criminals agreement” with the United States thus undermining State and regional security.

Sicelo KhungaNkhosi Dlamini, the Mayiwane Member of Parliament (MP) is taking the fifth (5th) spot, he made headlines for his vibrant Parliament debates of national interest, Dlamini advocated for the welfare of police officers, teachers and other citizens in the various sectors of society.

King Mswati’s Interpreter Sihle Dlamini made headlines for alleged corruption and he allegedly ran to hide at Lozitha Palace after being caught by a man engaging in an adulterous affair with his wife.

The King allegedly laughed at his Interprete,  Sihle Dlamini is the sixth (6th) Swaziland News newsmaker of the year.

Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Minister Savanah Maziya made headlines for attempting to professionalize various State institutions under the ICT Ministry while fighting corruption, he was subsequently frustrated by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, the Minister takes the seventh (7th) spot.

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla is currently one of the most loved politician within the Tinkhundla system, her poverty mitigation project-building houses for the poor and vulnerable in the various communities made headlines in this Swaziland News for the good reasons, the DPM is taking the eighth (8th) spot.

Prince Guduza, the Chairman of the Mines and Minerals Board made headlines towards the end of the year as one of the masterminds in the ongoing royal looting, he allegedly colluded with Prince Lindani and Chinese investors to steal a Green Chert mineral worth over R4billion and as a result, he is number nine (9) in the Swaziland News top ten (10) list of newsmakers.

Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala who stands accused of engaging in corruption, fraud and abuse of judicial powers takes number ten (10). 

The Chief Justice allegedly protected his alleged friend SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff from prosecution amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, the DPP and the Anti Corruption Commission approached the Supreme Court in an attempt to throw the Chief Justice’s friend and multibillion thief behind bars.