MBABANE – Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has condemned the recent spike in gruesome killings and sexual violence against women and girls across Eswatini, describing the acts as a “national crisis” that can no longer be ignored.
In a strongly worded statement issued over the weekend, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed government’s outrage over the disturbing trend of women and young girls who go missing and are later found raped or murdered in rural and urban areas alike.
“These are not just statistics. These are human beings — our daughters, our mothers, our sisters — whose lives have been stolen in the most horrific ways,” Dladla said. “It is unacceptable, and it must stop.”
The statement follows several recent incidents that have shocked communities and drawn widespread calls for justice and protection. Some victims were allegedly killed by their partners, while others were attacked by unknown assailants.
Figures released by the Royal Eswatini Police Service’s Domestic and Child Safety Unit, along with the 2024 National Surveillance Report, show 14,308 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) reported this year. Of these, 9,690 were against women, and 3,336 involved children under the age of 18.
Between January and May this year, 540 cases of GBV against children were reported, including 89 severe cases involving rape and physical assault.
Dladla said the surge in such crimes reflects deeper problems in society, including misogyny and a culture of silence around abuse. She called on community leaders, police, and families to work together to tackle the crisis and ensure that women and girls are safe.
While the government has not yet announced new policy measures, the Deputy Prime Minister said ongoing work is being done with stakeholders to strengthen prevention efforts and improve support for survivors.
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