MBABANE (19 SEPTEMBER 2026): Eswatini is in turmoil following the death of two high profile political leaders and the disappearance of a paroled former Member of Parliament, all within days of each other.
The Prime Minister this morning announced the death of home affairs minister, Princess Lindiwe.
“It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that I announce the passing
of Her Royal Highness Princess Lindiwe, Minister of Home Affairs, following a
short illness while receiving medical care in the Republic of South Africa,” the Prime Minister said in a short statement.
Six days earlier, the Prime Minister announced the death of Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala, also of a short illness, also in a Johannesburg Hospital where he was rushed for treatment.
Between reports of the deaths, police are now looking for a high-profile political dissident. Former Member of Parliament Mthandeni Dube who was released from prison where he was serving 58 years last November provoked security interest after a voice recording allegedly of him, allegedly mocking the death of the chief justice.
The alleged social media post would have allegedly violated one of Dube’s parole conditions forbidding him from making media statement, including on social media.
Correctional Services investigators who visited his home in Ngwempisi following the voice recording drew a blank. Members of his family allegedly denied knowing the whereabouts of the former MP who they said left home some days ago. Some speculation suggest that Dube skipped the country and may now be in South Africa. If indeed he has fled the country, he would be the second of what was once famously described as the Meshack, Shadrack and Abednego trio of Parliamentarians accused of inflaming public disobedience during the 2021 civil unrest. The first to escape the country was the then Siphofaneni MP Gawzela Simelane. The only member of the trio, Bacede Mabuza who is still serving his sentence.
Meanwhile, Princess Lindiwe who was only 60, is daughter of King Sobhuza ll and Inkhosikati Lomakholwa, LaMavela of the Nkhosi Mgunundvu branch of Mkhuzweni. She was a half-sister of His Majesty the King. Her older brother, Prince Hlangusemphi, also a former minister of economic planning died in May 2022 during the covid crisis, also in a Johannesburg hospital. She is survived by her oldest brother, Prince Guduza, also a former minister of economic planning and Prince Gcina, the last-born son of King Sobhuza ll.
The Prime Minister mourned the princess who he said had “served the Crown and the Kingdom with dignity, devotion and a strong sense of duty. Since her appointment as Minister of Home Affairs in 2018, she discharged the responsibilities of her high office with distinction, integrity and compassion. She remained steadfast in her service to the Nation
and carried out her duties with commitment to the welfare of the people of
Eswatini,” he said.
Princess Lindiwe was a woman of deep Christian faith and spiritual conviction. She and her husband, Zambian born Robert Kasaro founded and led the Jesus Christ Worship Centre in Matsapha.
Last week the Prime Minister mourned the death of the Chief Justice, Bheki Maphalala.
Maphalala became head of the judiciary in 2015 following the unceremonious departure of his predecessor, Lesotho born Michael Ramodibedi who famously fell out of favour with the Government of Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini.
Jm/today/17.09.2026