70 SODV CASES IN 17 DAYS!

MANZINI - Could it be that many people are now educated about issues relating to abuse to the point that some courts have dealt with 70 cases in just 17 days?

These cases are under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act 2018. The over 70 cases of SODV were heard at the Manzini Magistrates Courts and Matsapha Circuit Court in 17 days (between January 1 and 17, 2020). It is worth noting that a majority of the cases reported during the aforesaid period were related to assault, wherein a man either assaulted his girlfriend, wife or child as well as rape or some form of sexual violation. However, not all of them have been concluded in the courts as some are still pending.

Various experts from different spheres of life were roped in to gather their professional views on the seemingly high number of SODV cases that are making their way to courts. According to Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) Communications and Advocacy Officer Silindele Nxumalo, the coming into effect of the SODV act was definitely working in curbing incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country as people were aware of the stiff sentences that comes with it and therefore try by all means to remain on the right side of the law. “There are some incidents that will still occur due to ignorance of this law by certain quarters of the public but, through those individuals’ court trials and jail sentences issued my magistrates under the Act, people will learn and realise its existence and importance,” she said.

Pandemic

Ndo Mdlalose, a clinical psychologist, said crimes of passion were fast becoming a pandemic. She said it was important for people to understand that loving someone did not mean they owned them. “This cuts across all genders, marital status and socio-economic status. Violence will not change how someone perceives you. Your lover may pretend to follow your orders only for convenience and once she/he achieves their goals; they are out. Emotional intelligence is very important, one needs to fully understand themselves, know what kind of person/partner they are compatible with,” she said. Mdlalose further cited that couples counselling was vital and she urged people not to wait until they got married for pre and post-marital counselling. 

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