WHEN THE COPS ARE AFRAID

His Majesty the King hit the nail on the head when he said the rehabilitation of offenders played a significant role in the fight against crime.

The King was speaking at the Correctional Services Day and Pass-out Parade on Friday. Delivering his speech, His Majesty recognised the role played by the Correctional Services department in the rehabilitation of offenders, saying the programmes offered encouraged those who had served their prison sentences to come out and warn others against committing crime. Addressing the gathering before His Majesty’s speech, Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Sipho Dlamini also spoke about crime and security. He noted that security was one of the pillars of a strong economy. The PM said they tended to avoid countries where they would feel unsafe.

We have seen such in countries like Sudan, where a simmering civil war broke out in April this year, resulting in hundreds of thousands of citizens fleeing to other countries. Investors and international organisations also left in droves. The same scenario is repeating itself in Niger, where the army staged a dramatic coup over a week ago, announcing that it was deposing President Mohamed Bazoum. With the elected president rendered powerless, the east African country has quickly degenerated into chaos. Diplomats and investors are also making frantic efforts to leave before the socio-political situation deteriorates even further.

tumultuous

Here in Eswatini, it appears that calm has been restored after the tumultuous period between 2021 and 2022 where even security forces were afraid to do their jobs, as a result of criminals who hijacked the calls for change and went on a killing and robbery spree. However, a scratch on the surface reveals that criminal elements are still holding the country to ransom. The state of fear is still very much alive. It is clear that the country has too many illegal firearms in the hands of people who do not hesitate to use them for evil deeds. Criminals are on a rampage, killing and robbing at will. It is a fact proven by research that after political instability in any country, crime takes root and becomes difficult to eradicate. This is because during the period of unrest, illegal firearms are smuggled into the country in large numbers. Even people who had never dreamed of living a life of crime find themselves holding guns given to them by those pushing their political agendas. This is the obtaining situation in South Africa (SA).

According to Wikipedia, the murder rate in the republic increased rapidly towards the end of apartheid, reaching a peak in 1993. It then showed a steady increase until 2011 when it went down to around 30 murders per 100 000 people in 2011. However, by 2021, the murder rate had again shot up to 41 murders per 100 000 people. Experts say the most prevalent crimes in SA are against life and property. This is the same sad scenario playing itself out in Eswatini. The political instability began around May 2021, reaching a peak in June-July of the same year.

emerged

After the June 2021 massacre of dozens of emaSwati who had taken to the streets to demonstrate their frustration at government, there emerged a group of faceless underground operatives who targeted security forces and anyone else who appeared to be in support the Tinkhundla system. They were either killed or their property like cars and houses burnt down. Calm seems to have returned to the kingdom after November 2022 but the tension is still palpable. It seems to be a ticking time bomb that could still explode anytime, especially if those in leadership do not read the political temperature properly. Compromises and concessions have to be made. It is this lingering state of uncertainty that criminals are taking full advantage of. That we have not yet reached a stage where all citizens are safe in their homes or on the streets is confirmed by the wanton committal of violent crimes these days.

The township of Ngwane Park in Manzini seems to have suddenly become the new crime hotspot of Eswatini. Within 24 hours between last Sunday and Monday, three armed robberies were recorded in that area. One of them was the much-publicised attack at Honchos eatery, where a shootout resulted in one person being shot dead. On the same night and the following day, supermarkets owned by businessmen of Asian origin were robbed at gunpoint. Two days later, an employee of a bottle store situated within the same suburban location was shot dead. While the police should be commended for their swift response to the Honchos attempted robbery, it is obvious that the safety of citizens is still not guaranteed. The worrying part is that the police themselves still believe they are not safe. They are still wary of venturing out in cases of emergency. On Thursday night, a car overturned at Gobholo in Mbabane but when called, the police and paramedics reportedly said they were afraid. This is unacceptable.

Criminals

This attitude by those tasked with the duty to serve and protect the nation will worsen the situation for ordinary folk. Investors will not take kindly to it either. Criminals are always quick to read the situation and take full advantage of it. That is why they are coming out of the woodwork in crazy numbers and terrorising citizens willy-nilly. Wise men say there is safety in numbers. Criminals always attack in groups because they are also afraid of what might confront them at their intended target. Why can’t the police do the same? If they feel threatened, why don’t they add the numbers of those who respond to emergency calls? They are paid to protect us, not to give excuses. The taxpayer expects them to find a way to deal with crime-prone areas, instead of rendering citizens sitting ducks. The huge numbers of State security forces seen at pass-out parades, year in and year out as was the case on Friday and at the Police Academy a fortnight ago, suggest that the country already has more than enough officers on the ground. Where are they?

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