Lobamba – Stock theft offenders could face substantially higher fines if government moves ahead with proposed amendments to the country’s stock theft laws, following a motion by Mhlambanyatsi MP Bonginkhosi Dlamini calling for penalties to be urgently reviewed.
Hon. Bonginkhosi Dlamini wants the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Prince Simelane to table the Stock Theft (Amendment) Bill before the House of Assembly within 60 days, arguing that the existing fines are outdated and have failed to keep pace with the value of livestock and the losses suffered by rural households.
The MP told the House that current penalties could be as low as E200 for certain offences, while fines of E2,000 could apply where extenuating circumstances were present.
Dlamini said such penalties could hardly deter offenders who steal livestock worth thousands of emalangeni, particularly when entire herds can be wiped out.
He brought the matter closer to home, telling the House that his own family lost seven cows last year and was left with only two.
The MP also expressed frustration over the release of suspected stock thieves on bail shortly after their arrest.
He described the situation as a serious concern for emaSwati, saying: “Leli libhange lemaswati.”
Dlamini said stock theft had severely affected rural communities, with more than 75 per cent of cattle kraals in some areas of his constituency near the borders reportedly left empty.
The proposed legal overhaul comes as stock theft continues to carry a heavy financial cost for the country.
According to a Royal Eswatini Police Service report covering April 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026, 1,043 stock theft cases were recorded, compared to 1,229 during the previous period.
Despite the 15 per cent decline in reported cases, livestock worth more than E21 million was stolen during the period.
Cattle accounted for the largest share of the losses, with 1,718 head valued at E17 351,800 reported stolen.
Responding to Dlamini’s motion, Simelane said the Ministry had already started working on the matter.
The Minister’s response means that the proposed review is already receiving attention within government, although the details of the proposed amendments and new penalties have yet to be presented before the House.
Dlamini maintained that the law needed to reflect the seriousness of stock theft and the damage it causes to farmers, particularly those whose livelihoods depend heavily on livestock.
The motion now puts pressure on government to translate the proposed review into legislation within the 60-day period called for by the Mhlambanyatsi MP.
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