Child (2) raped at home, woman robbed

MBABANE – A two-year-old child is among the survivours of alleged sexual violations reported over the weekend in Makholokholo, Mbabane. The minor was reportedly raped by an unknown individual inside their home. In a separate incident in the same area, a woman was also reported to have been raped and robbed in her residence. The perpetrators allegedly stole a Samsung Galaxy A13 valued at E3 000 and an Acer laptop valued at E6 000from the woman. Makholokholo is a neighbourhood in Mbabane, situated near Mbangweni and Stibeni. Adding to the growing concern, on January 30, 2025, a woman was raped in a bush at Kwaluseni by a man known to her. This is the second incident in a week where a woman was allegedly attacked by robbers.

Last week, this publication reported that a woman in the Lubombo Region was robbed and doused with petrol, and she is currently admitted to Good Shepherd Hospital.  (It is generally preferred to use the full name of the hospital on first mention, then ‘Good Shepherd’ thereafter, unless space is extremely limited.) In another disturbing incident, a 15-year-old girl from Madlangampisi was forced into sexual intercourse inside a house by a 19-year-old man, also from Madlangampisi. The suspect according to the police has been arrested.These incidents have prompted calls for increased police presence in Makholokholo.

Residents

Residents express growing fear for their safety, citing the seemingly unabated crime. “We are now living in fear of our lives,” one resident lamented. Several residents pointed out that some perpetrators are known to them, and their subsequent release on bail fuels their frustration. “We cannot be terrorised like this in our own space; enough is enough,” another resident declared, hinting at the possibility of vigilante justice. He also urged residents to intensify neighbourhood watch programs as a means of community self-protection. The community is demanding action to address the rising crime rate and restore a sense of security.

Beyond these sexual violence cases, other incidents were reported. A man was shot while allegedly poaching at the IYSIS Farm area T-17. He was treated and discharged from Mhlume Clinic. A road traffic accident was also reported on February 1, 2025, at 9:45am near Good Shepherd High School along the Maphungwane/Siteki D12 Public Road. A Toyota Kombi driven by a 45-year-old man from Makhewu reportedly lost control and collided with a Toyota sedan driven by a 47-year-old man from Sitsatsaweni.

Both drivers and eleven passengers from the two vehicles sustained injuries and were treated and discharged at Good Shepherd Hospital. Both vehicles were extensively damaged. Meanwhile, while there has been a slight dip in numbers, drink-driving remains a significant concern in Eswatini. The past week saw 87 arrests for driving while under the influence, compared to 94 the previous week. This represents a decrease of approximately 7.4 per cent.

Robbery

In onother incident, two men, Nduku Lennoz Shabangu (39) of Mehlwabovu and Mandla Mashaba Simelane (41) of Buseleni, appeared in the Shiselweni Magistrates Court on charges of robbery and kidnapping. They are accused of stealing E200 000 in cash from Precious Nozipho Shongwe on January 26, 2025, at the Mkhitsini area, allegedly threatening her with a pistol.

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