MBABANE (09.11.2026): Supreme Court Judge, Justice Mumcy Dlamini has been appointed acting Chief Justice (CJ) of Eswatini. She fills one of two highly anticipated high-profile vacancies expected before His Majesty the King goes into seclusion.
Justice Dlamini who is one of the favourites for the position was sworn in this morning following her appointment by His Majesty the King.
She becomes the first woman to ever hold the position even on an acting basis.
Justice Dlamini who has handled very high-profile cases, including the high treason cases of political activists and former MPs Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube as well as the 2025 High Court appeal of Manzini Wanderers Football Club who sought reinstatement into the Premier League, took her oath of office from the Attorney General Mashampu Khumalo at the High Court.
The acting CJ rose to the bench after a spell as Director of Public Prosecution. She is married to Supreme Court judge, Majahenkhaba Dlamini, a former long-term Attorney General.
The high-profile appointment follows the death in mid-September 2026 of Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala. A senior attorney may be appointed to replace Justice Dlamini while she holds the position of CJ.
Still outstanding and highly anticipated, is the appointment to Parliament of a replacement for Princess Lindiwe who passed away in September. She was minister of Home Affairs and half-sister to the King. As a Royal Appointment, the man or woman appointed to replace her might not necessarily become minister. But once the vacancy is filled, it opens the way for His Majesty to appoint him or her, or one of the incumbents in either the House of Assembly or House of Senate to cabinet.
Following the national thanksgiving prayer service last week, it is anticipated that His Majesty may go into seclusion in preparation for the annual Incwala Ceremony.
Jm/today/9 November 2026
