SIGWE – The army has raised concern over a growing number of aspiring soldiers who cheat the system by participating in recruitment exercises across multiple tinkhundla centres.
Brigadier General Sotja Dlamini addressed the issue yesterday while speaking to army hopefuls at Sigwe Inkhundla. He said the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) is aware of the practice and is tightening its monitoring measures to ensure fairness in the process.
“We are paying attention to those who try their luck in places where they do not belong,” Dlamini said. “Going forward, once we discover that you have taken part in more than one inkhundla, you will not only be disqualified from that centre, but from the entire recruitment process.”
He noted that such conduct wastes the army’s time and disadvantages genuine candidates from the affected constituencies.
During the recruitment exercise, community officials, known as bagijimi, are responsible for verifying that each aspiring soldier’s national identity card corresponds with the chief code of the area. Dlamini explained that the army deliberately stays out of this stage to avoid influencing the community-led vetting process.
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Teenager ready to quit school for army
SIGWE – At just 18, Nobuhle Mbhamali has already decided her future and school is not part of it.
The Form III pupil from Oslo High School was the first female to complete the 3.2km race during the army recruitment exercise at Sigwe Inkhundla yesterday. When asked about her next step, Mbhamali did not hesitate.
“If I make it through all the recruitment stages, I’m going to quit school,” she said confidently.
She explained that her decision was driven by the country’s high unemployment rate, which she said had left many graduates jobless. “Going to school makes no difference nowadays. You graduate and still end up at home. I’ve been given an opportunity for employment, and I’m going to grab it,” she said.
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Over 50 disqualified for IDs
SIGWE – More than 50 aspiring soldiers were turned away at Sigwe Inkhundla yesterday after arriving without valid national identity cards.
The army has repeatedly stressed that only original national IDs are accepted for participation in the recruitment process. Brigadier General Thabo Luhlanga reminded hopefuls that no other form of identification would be allowed.
“We do not accept birth certificates, driver’s licences or passports,” Luhlanga said. “Only the original ID card will let you in.”
Despite the clear directive, dozens of hopefuls still arrived without the required documents, with some attempting to take part without any identification at all.
They were all instructed to leave the premises before the recruitment exercise began.
Luhlanga said the rule was intended to maintain transparency and ensure that only eligible candidates representing their respective areas are allowed to compete.
Bus rank marshal charges through
SIGWE – A 27-year-old bus rank marshal from Nhlangano, sprinted his way to victory in the male category of the army recruitment race at Sigwe Inkhundla yesterday.
Sicelo Mamba completed the 3.2km race in just under 11 minutes.
He said his preparation was unconventional; he trained alone in a forest instead of joining group sessions with other hopefuls.
“I wanted solitude so I could focus on what was difficult for me. My training involved more than just running; I mixed in different exercises to build strength,” he said.
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