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147 MURDERS IN 11 MONTHS

11/11/2023 08:33:00 Thokozani Mazibuko

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MANZINI – “These cases illuminate that GBV is an issue of critical national concern.”

These were the exact words of Acting National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police Sula Dlamini during the launch of the national campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) held in Manzini yesterday. His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), Eswatini National Fire Rescue and Emergency Services (ENFRES), security guards and the members of the Royal Eswatini Police (REPS), yesterday came together and marched through the city of Manzini from Boxer Supermarket to the Manzini Bus Rank.

Despite the fact that the band from the Correctional Services was playing entertaining music and leading the pack throughout the city, one could see that members of the public were touched with the messages, which were on the placards.

As a result, most of them were seen joining the walk, apparently taking part in the campaign against GBV.
It should be noted that 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. Globally, seven per cent of women have been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner.

Murders

It is said that 38 per cent of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner. “I welcome all stakeholders to the event prompted by spiralling cases of GBV. While cases of GBV have always been occurring at a concerning rate, where women are killed and maimed in the most gruesome of manners (stabbings/hackings/setting on fire), of late, the rate seems to have taken an unprecedented turn for the worse,” the acting NATCOM said.

Dlamini said police were left shell-shocked by the murder of four (4) women in Ezulwini, some of them were related.He said another hair-raising issue was the murder and suicide involving intimate partners at Ngwane Park.
In making reference to the recent cases, the NATCOM expressed their pain as a police service about these incidents and at the same time condemned such gross acts of violence which he said, should never be countenanced in the society.

“We extend our condolences to the families of the deceased, and pray that God will continue to comfort them as they deal with their loss, including closing the social gap created by the tragedies,” Dlamini stated. It is worth mentioning that there were stakeholders such as the non-governmental organisations. NGOs included SWAGAA (Swatini Group Against Abuse, Kwakha Indvodza and others.Fellow government functionaries, churches, schools, public transport sector and numerous others were also present.

Moreover, Dlamini pointed out that fighting the scourge could be reliant on policing interventions alone, especially as most incidents unfolded in private spaces, out of the reach of the police, hence he called for the multi-stakeholder approach from each and every partner to make interventions that would coalesce to an effective response.

Campaign

“Today here in Manzini, we are launching and kick-starting a national campaign that will cover all regions under the theme ‘Speak out now, stop the silence,” he said. He mentioned that through this campaign, the nation should join hands towards ending GBV as it hinges on every member of society. “Let us not ignore abuse and violence when we see it occurring, but let us intervene, through reporting to the police or the other agencies involved in the fight against the scourge,” Dlamini said.

The acting NATCOM then emphasised that GBV is demonic and evil, and should not be allowed to continue unabated, more so, as it has since turned women into an ‘endangered species’ who live feeling vulnerable and anxious for their lives.

“This is very unfortunate as women are pillars in society, playing a pivotal role in nurturing families, including in socio-economic development initiatives both at community and broader national level. When women are not safe, development is threatened,” he said.

Strategies

Furthermore, he stated that it therefore, time for all emaSwati to get angry about GBV and do whatever is necessary to end it. According to the acting NATCOM, speaking out is part of strategies for GBV, that emaSwati should come out with issues that are bothering them at personal and domestic level so that they can get professional help – (Domestic Violence and Child Protection Unit).

“Speaking out applies even to potential perpetrators so that they can get counselling instead of being used by the devil to commit horrid acts of violence. Suffice that speaking out extends to other social problems such as suicides that are also proving to be a challenge,” he said. Reading out the statistics during the campaign, Dlamini said cases of violence such as murders, including those arising from GBV are indicating a shocking trend of being on an increase, with 147 murders recorded since January to-date, and 133 suicides.

He went on to state that murders aside from GBV-related ones were on their own a problem faced with the country.
“People kill others for frivolous reasons, no respect for the sanctity of human life while 188 arrests have been made, arrests are not good enough, what is key, it is to prevent or end the scourge,” he revealed. Moreover, Dlamini said the campaigns will build-up to the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, which will come and hopefully find them ahead in their interventions.

He then encouraged men to take a leading role in uniting with women to end GBV. He pointed out that a lot of good men in the country, who respect themselves, must lead by example in creating safe environment for women and children. The acting NATCOM further pledged on behalf of the entire police service to continue working tirelessly and diligently in ensuring that the scourge of GBV is suppressed and further work towards providing a better service to survivors of any form of abuse.

Enforcement

“As a law enforcement agency, we will also continue to engage the multi-sectoral stakeholders who are our partners so that together we can find a lasting solutions to the issue of homicides and suicides and police officers are encouraged to be decisive,” he advised. Making a point, the acting NATCOM said for the population of the country, the killings were too frequent, hence as the police service they would engage the public in the hope that the tide would eventually turn against violent crimes.

“There is no justification for taking anyone’s life because we all have the right to life and as a society, we cannot condone such behaviour as it creates an endless cycle of pain and despair among the nation.” Meanwhile, as the event unfolded at the Manzini Bus Rank, where members of REPS were inviting some members of the public to share and speak on the topic of GBV, a woman, Bethulisile Mavimbela narrated her ordeal at the hands of her former husband.

“At first, I had vowed that I would never divorce my husband and I was prepared to die for the sake of my children, but one day I decided to pack my belongings and leave my matrimonial home as the abuse was taking its toll in front of my children,” Mavimbela said. Furthermore, Mavimbela pointed out that it was difficult at first to end the marriage because she entirely depended on her former husband.

“However, I made the decision to part ways with him. My former husband would insult and forcefully push me into his car boot and then drive speedily exactly the same as those guys do when they go for a spin,” she said.
She thanked REPS for giving her courage to desert her abusive husband.