MBABANE – Police and Acting Imbali Overseer Umfanawenkhosi Hlangabeza Mdluli have warned against exploiting, threatening or interfering with young girls participating in this year’s Umhlanga Ceremony.
National Commissioner (NatCom) of Police Manona Masango warned that those who exploit young girls could face arrest on charges of rape, while Mdluli said nobody should attempt to remove a maiden from the regiment or take advantage of her after she has left her community to participate in Umhlanga.
The warnings come as maidens from across the country travel to Ludzidzini Royal Residence for the annual national ceremony.
Masango also appealed to parents whose daughters leave their respective homes purportedly to attend Umhlanga, but whose whereabouts become unknown after departure, to immediately report the matter to the police.
The NatCom warned parents not to assume that a daughter who left home claiming to attend Umhlanga had necessarily reached the national event. He said police should be informed immediately where a young girl expected to attend the ceremony could not be accounted for.
Masango further warned those who exploit young girls that they would be arrested and, where investigations detect abuse, face charges of rape.
It is worth noting that the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act No.15 of 2018, Section 3 (1) and Section 3(6)(e), governs the prohibition of sexual acts with children, sets the legal age of consent at 18 years and establishes that a person under 18 cannot legally consent.
Under Section 3, engaging in a sexual relationship or sexual act with a person under 18 is treated as unlawful and prosecutable as rape or statutory rape/defilement by operation of law, regardless of whether the minor appeared to agree or participate willingly.
Masango also appealed to the maidens to travel in groups to protect themselves from those who may take chances and target them during the national ceremony.
Meanwhile, Mdluli said once the maidens leave their respective chiefdoms to participate in Umhlanga, they become under the custody of His Majesty King Mswati III.
He said they should therefore be respected and protected throughout the ceremony. “Lokukhulu kunako konkhe kutsi libutfo yiNkhosi. Lingaze liphume emiphakatsini seliyiNkhosi ngako kumele lihlonishwe ngaleso sigaba,” said Mdluli.
Mdluli warned that nobody should attempt to remove a maiden from the regiment or take advantage of her under any circumstances. He said such an act would amount to interfering with maidens participating in the national ceremony under the custody of the King. “Kute lekubhekeke kutsi bese utsatsa umntfwana ebutfweni. Uma kungenteka abe khona lowenta njalo ayikhulumeki ngobe uyobe atsintse umnikati lucobo,” he said.
Masango also advised the maidens to exercise caution while travelling and urged them to travel in groups. The NatCom further warned against anyone who threatened or intimidated maidens in an attempt to prevent them from participating in the national event.
He said freedom of choice was protected under Chapter III of the Constitution and warned that the police would deal with those who issued threats against young girls because of their decision to participate in Umhlanga.
Masango further warned anyone who might seek to disrupt or sabotage the ceremony that the police would remain vigilant throughout the event. He said law enforcement officers would leave nothing to chance in ensuring the safety of the maidens and the smooth running of the ceremony. The NatCom also appealed to motorists to exercise patience during the event as police officers would be escorting the maidens while they travelled.
Motorists were urged to cooperate with law enforcement officers where the movement of traffic was temporarily affected by the transportation and escorting of the maidens. The warnings come as the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced transport arrangements for participants attending the first session of the ceremony at Ludzidzini Royal Residence.
According to a press statement issued yesterday, transport will depart at 8am from various chiefdoms countrywide and proceed to designated pick-up points. Members of the public were encouraged to use the pick-up point closest to their respective locations.
The ministry further advised participants to arrive at their respective chiefdoms before the scheduled departure time to avoid delays and urged all travellers to cooperate with transport officials and adhere to the guidance provided. Maidens have been reminded to bring their identity document numbers or Personal Identification Numbers for registration.
Where possible, they have also been advised to bring copies of their identity documents to assist officials in verifying and correctly recording their names and identity numbers. However, the ministry said maidens should not bring their original identity documents to minimise the risk of them being lost.
Parents and guardians have also been urged to ensure that each maiden’s name and identity number is correctly recorded and spelt before departure. The ministry said the transport arrangements were intended to facilitate a safe and convenient experience for participants attending the ceremony.
Mdluli has also appealed to members of the public and participants to maintain cleanliness throughout the event. He said the maidens had already been warned against littering and urged everyone attending the ceremony to ensure that rubbish was not discarded on the ground.
The police and the Imbali overseer’s warnings come as authorities seek to ensure that the maidens are protected throughout their journey to, participation in and return from the Umhlanga Ceremony.
Parents whose daughters leave home claiming to be attending Umhlanga but cannot subsequently be accounted for have been urged to report the matter immediately to the police, while those who exploit or interfere with maidens have been warned of possible consequences.
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