Matsapha – The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) have reported spikes in road fatalities, copper theft and persistent financial scams.
Despite the reported crime reduction, accidents persist, the National Commissioner of REPS, Manoma Vusi Masango, said during a high-level address today at Matsapha Police Academy. The event was attended by senior police officers and civilian support staffers.
Road safety statistics have increased and are deeply worrying. Accidents increased from 5 962 in 2024 to 6 158 in 2025, while fatal crashes rose to 145. Pedestrian deaths jumped dramatically from 67 to 95.
Masango said national safety and stability remains the priority.
The overall crime statistics, Masango said, may have dropped by 4.1% in 2025 with a total of 51 899 cases reported this year against 54 104 of the previous year but serious crimes remain a concern.
Armed robbery, car hijacking and robbery dropped by 10.7%. Murder also fell by 3.4%. However, authorities stress that the nature of homicide remains multifaceted.
Masango said 29 deaths were linked to intoxication, 17 to passion-related motives, nine to gangsterism, six to mob justice, and two to witchcraft allegations.
“Four murders were classified as crime-related, while a total of 45 murder cases are still under investigation,” he said.
He warned that the figures were still alarming to the nation, urging his officers to roll up their sleeves and fasten their boots to curb criminality.
Copper theft which surged by 12.3% to 1 570 cases was also of concern to Masango.
“The theft of copper continues to remain stubborn,” he cautioned, calling for a national strategy to address the growing threat.
Gender-based violence (GBV) also remains a serious concern though there is a slight 3% decline in reported cases.
NATCOM stressed that police psychologists and welfare officers are overworked as GBV survivors continue to report cases. He said GBV wreaks havoc in family institutions while eroding the social fibre that ties families together. Masango noted that family disputes accounted for 25 murder cases, while 17 were attributed to passion killings.
On stock theft, police reported a 15.3% drop in incidents, yet the financial losses remain staggering. Livestock worth E20.5 million was stolen between January and October, including 1 689 cattle valued at E17.3 million and 2 378 goats worth E3.1 million.
“Out of 1 029 reported cases, only 61 arrests were made while 3 532 animals worth E17.5 million are still missing,” he stated.
Masango appreciated the collaboration with the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force, community policing fora and neighbouring countries who still manage to foil several incidents of cattle rustling.Masango warned that while progress has been made in dismantling the notorious facata scam syndicate, more and more EmaSwati continue to fall victim, prompting a call for intensified public awareness. Stokvel-related theft also resurfaced, with two groups losing a combined E92 000 after failing to bank their savings.
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