6TH WOMAN BRUTALLY KILLED IN 1 MONTH: JOB PROMISE LEADS TO WOMAN (22) MURDER BY BOYFRIEND

MBABANE - In a deeply troubling trend, at least six women have died at the hands of their love partners this month alone.

The murders happened in what could be described as a surge in domestic violence-related fatalities. A recent case, just a week after the shocking death of a Form V pupil, who was hacked and killed by her boyfriend at Mnjoli, under Mkhiweni Inkhundla, another horrifying incident has rocked the same constituency. A 22-year-old woman from Sibukweni was savagely attacked and killed, allegedly by her boyfriend, while at Ngomane DBS area.

The young woman, Lindiwe Dlamini, who had been enticed with the promise of a job allegedly by unidentified individuals, reportedly walked into a deadly trap, leading to her tragic fate. Reports suggest that Lindiwe was hacked to death with a bush knife multiple times, on the neck and head. She was found near thick bushes in an area called KaMagwazipalishi near Ngomane.

Lured

It was alleged that Lindiwe had been lured under the guise of employment, unaware of the danger that awaited her.  Upon arriving at the agreed location, she encountered her alleged attacker, who unleashed a violent assault, repeatedly striking her on the head and neck with the bush knife.  According to Buhle Dlamini, a family member, Lindiwe was eager to secure a job to support herself and her child. Buhle said this vulnerability, she believes, was exploited by the unknown individuals, who contacted her with the promise of a job; to harvest dagga. Desperate for the opportunity, Buhle said Lindiwe eagerly accepted and, after multiple phone calls with her supposed benefactors, she arranged to meet them.

Unbeknown to her, Buhle stated that this was allegedly a trap, as instead of meeting the purported employers, offering employment, she was met by her boyfriend, who attacked her in a fit of rage. According to Buhle, they were told that the scene was horrific, as Lindiwe was left with severe injuries to her head and neck.

Chilling

This brutal method of attack bears a chilling resemblance to the recent murder of Welile Gule, who was a pupil at Mnjoli High School, and was in the middle of writing her external examination when the incident happened.She was also hacked to death, allegedly by her boyfriend, leaving the community in a state of deep anxiety.  Buhle said as a family, they were heartbroken to learn of Lindiwe’s death. She left behind a young child after being deceived and ultimately killed in such a violent manner. Adding, she explained that Lindiwe’s relationship with the alleged killer was, by all accounts, a troubled one. Buhle reported that the couple frequently argued, often over issues involving the victim’s child, who was not fathered by her boyfriend.

“This tension reportedly fuelled resentment, as the boyfriend was uncomfortable whenever Lindiwe visited her child or when the child stayed with them,” Buhle said.The couple’s relationship was described as a strained one, marred by jealousy and conflicts. Buhle went on to state that the boyfriend was uneasy about the Lindiwe’s continued bond with her child and that often became a source of tension. According to Buhle, this resentment seemed to escalate over time, leading to arguments that she believes may have contributed to the final, deadly act of violence.

She added that Lindiwe, at some point, suggested a breakup with the said boyfriend, but the latter refused, allegedly sparking a huge fight. On the same note, Buhle told this publication that at some point, the couple stayed together at the boyfriend’s parental homestead. “In one instance, Lindiwe took all her stuff and returned home, however, shortly thereafter, she returned to her boyfriend. She stayed with him for a few days and he assaulted her. She returned home and told us what had happened. Still, they were fighting about the child, Lindiwe visiting her child,” Buhle alleged.

Promise

She further mentioned that the boyfriend would allegedly visit their homestead to look for Lindiwe, but she would not meet him. Buhle stated that Lindiwe refused to see the boyfriend until Tuesday, when she was allegedly lured with the promise of a job.“They knew that when suggesting a job, Lindiwe would not refuse, because she was looking for money, to raise her child,” she alleged. Buhle appreciated the police, saying they have worked well since receiving the devastating news.

The Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, confirmed that a woman from Mliba at Esibukweni was hacked to death with a bush knife multiple times, on the neck and head by a known person, while at Ngomane DBS area. Vilakati said the police are still looking for the person involved in this act. Meanwhile, for the community, this second brutal murder in such a short span of time has left a lasting impact.  Residents are struggling to come to terms with the level of violence. The tragic deaths of the two young women in such a short space of time are said to underscore an urgent need for action. The community, though shaken, is resolute in its demand for change, hoping that these painful losses will not be in vain.  Mkhiweni Indvuna Yenkhundla Comfort Shongwe has urged government to come up with a solution to these murders.

Hurt

Shongwe said they are deeply hurt by such incidents, as they have not seen something like this in a short space of time. He said as a constituency, they do not know what to do, thus they request government, and everyone, to come up with solutions to this scourge of violence. According to Shongwe, government should be proactive and address these issues. “To lose two young women in such violent ways, and within days of each other, has shaken us all deeply. We are asking the authorities to step in and help us prevent this crime,” he said.
On another note, Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) revealed that alcohol is one of the significant contributing factors to the increasing rate of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.

According to SWAGAA’s annual statistics for 2023, a total of 2 544 GBV cases were reported between January and December. The most common types of violence reported were physical (179 cases), emotional/verbal (1 101 cases) and sexual (274 cases). Emotional/verbal violence remains the most prevalent form, followed by sexual abuse. The data also reveals that 656 cases were recorded from June 2024 to September 2024, with emotional abuse leading with 318 cases. This trend raises concerns about the growing prevalence of abuse in Eswatini.

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