The United States has assessed Swaziland’s capital
city Mbabane as a ‘critical-threat location’ for crime in a report just
published.
Street robberies are prevalent and they happen at all
times of the day. Criminals usually brandish knives or machetes. Swaziland
experiences violent deaths on a frequent basis. ‘Some of the murders have been
particularly gruesome.’ Rapes occur ‘frequently’.
The report called
Swaziland 2017 Crime & Safety
Report from the Unites States State Department Bureau of
Diplomatic Security is published annually. It was updated on 8 May 2017.
On crime threats, the report stated, ‘The general
crime rate is above the U.S. national average. Although criminals considered
Mbabane and Manzini prime grounds for operation due to the number of people,
businesses, and affluent areas, the rate of crime reported in small towns and
rural areas increased in 2016. There are some local crime gangs but no
organized crime.
‘Congested urban areas are particularly dangerous at
night; and occasional daytime larceny has been reported. The presence of
pedestrians should not be taken as an indication of a secure/safe environment.
Suspects have found themselves pursued and beaten by by-standers.
‘Residential burglary and petty theft are the most
commonly reported crimes, with street robberies being the most prevalent. They
occur at all locations regardless of the time. Criminals are generally interested
in cell phones and cash.’
The report added, ‘Criminals usually brandish edged
weapons (knife, machete) and occasionally firearms and will resort to deadly
force if victims resist. The general modus
operandi of robbers is to target residences or businesses that have
little/no security measures in place. They will use force if necessary but rely
on the threat of force to commit the act.
‘While the number of murders per capita remains lower
than some African countries, Swaziland experiences violent deaths on a frequent
basis. Some of the murders have been particularly gruesome. Victims have been
found decapitated, and body parts were mutilated or removed. Some are a result
of disputes among criminal groups.
‘Rapes occur frequently and tend to be perpetuated on
isolated/desolate urban and rural areas or roads.’
The response time of Swazi police to incidents is
described as, ‘slow, if at all, unless the police are in the general area where
the incident occurred. Police consider a 30-minute response time adequate, even
in urban areas. Police are generally willing to assist but often lack
transportation and resources to properly respond to, or investigate, crimes.’
In March 2017, the Times of Swaziland
reported there was a great deal of concern in neighbouring
South Africa about crime in Swaziland.
The newspaper reported that Swaziland’s main
commercial city Manzini was considered, ‘a haven for International
crime kingpins who have become so sophisticated that they are supplying shops
with fake cosmetics and counterfeit drugs’.
It added, ‘Human trafficking is also a crime regarded as a serious
problem in the country, which led to a Parliament probe being launched
following a high number of nationals from Asian countries being found in the
country without legal documentation while others suspected of obtaining
citizenship illegally.’
The
growing of dagga [marijuana] was another crime that refused to go away, the Times reported.
It added,
‘These incidents suggest that there is a whole lot more criminal activity
taking place than what meets the eye. As a country with one of the highest
expenditure on national security, Swaziland should be a country no criminal
should dare to set foot.’
See also
SWAZILAND A WORLD HOTSPOT FOR CRIME
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