BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– Emaswati have been urged to check the Chief Codes reflected on their identity documents and ensure they correspond with their actual communities, as the Ministry of Home Affairs warns that incorrect information could create challenges when accessing important government services.
The call was made by Mlandvo Dlamini, Ministerial Communications Officer and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, during an interview on Eswatini Tv, Kusile Breakfast Show on August 18, 2026.
Dlamini explained that the Chief Code is an important part of the country’s civil registration system, identifying the chiefdom under which a citizen is registered.
He said the code is linked to the chief or royal prince responsible for a particular chiefdom and helps establish a citizen’s connection to that community.
“The Chief Code is extremely important; otherwise, the government would not include it on identity cards or birth certificates if it were not essential,” Dlamini said.
He said Chief Codes are used in several government processes, including marriage documentation, military recruitment and scholarship applications.
Dlamini revealed that discrepancies between Chief Codes and citizens’ actual communities have already caused challenges, particularly when people require documentation from traditional leaders.
He explained that when a person applies for marriage documentation, for instance, a letter from the relevant chief may be required. If the Chief Code on the applicant’s records points to another community, the person may be referred back to have the information corrected.
Similar discrepancies have reportedly emerged during recruitment and scholarship processes, where applicants may need documentation from traditional leaders in their communities.
“Chiefs are now very knowledgeable and understand how the system works. They refuse to sign documents that contain an incorrect Chief Code,” Dlamini said.
He said parents should be particularly careful when providing information for children applying for their first national identity cards at the age of 16.
Dlamini cautioned parents against simply assigning children the Chief Code of the area where they currently live without ensuring that the information accurately reflects their family and traditional residence.
“When a child is turning sixteen and needs a national ID card, make sure you provide the correct information regarding who their chief and headman are,” he said.
He warned that incorrect information could create difficulties for young people later, particularly when applying for scholarships, recruitment opportunities and other services requiring verification of their records.
Dlamini also encouraged Emaswati who have permanently relocated to new communities to update their Chief Codes with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He said citizens who have settled permanently in a new area should obtain confirmation from the new community and submit the required documentation to Home Affairs.
Once the information has been verified, the Chief Code can be updated in the ministry’s system before the applicant applies for a replacement identity card.
“Updating it in the system is just a matter of a minute; the only step remaining is taking the photograph for the ID card,” Dlamini said.
He noted that replacing an identity card costs E300, while the first identity card issued to a 16-year-old is free.
The ministry is also encouraging chiefs and royal princes to ensure they know the subjects under their jurisdiction and work with Home Affairs to maintain accurate records.
Dlamini said a reliable database benefits both government and traditional authorities because accurate information can be accessed and used whenever required.
The importance of Chief Codes has also come under renewed public discussion as the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) conducts civic and voter education ahead of elections.
Questions have been raised about citizens who appear to register or vote in areas that do not correspond with their Chief Codes.
Dlamini clarified that the Ministry of Home Affairs does not determine how elections are conducted, noting that the EBC operates independently and is responsible for electoral processes.
However, he said accurate civil registration information remains important in supporting transparent national processes.
He explained that Chief Codes can assist in establishing the number of registered subjects associated with a particular chiefdom.
“Even when critics or commentators claim elections could be rigged, how can an election be rigged when we know a specific chiefdom has 50 registered subjects, yet 52 people vote?” Dlamini said.
He said accurate records can help identify inconsistencies and ensure that information used in national processes is reliable.
As civic and voter education continues across the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs is urging Emaswati to take responsibility for ensuring that their personal information remains accurate and up to date.
Dlamini said citizens should not wait until an application is rejected or an administrative challenge arises before checking their records.
Instead, those who discover that their Chief Codes are incorrect are encouraged to have them corrected as soon as possible.
The ministry believes that maintaining accurate Chief Codes and civil registration details will help citizens avoid unnecessary delays while strengthening the country’s ability to maintain reliable records for effective administration and service delivery.
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(Courtesy Pic)
