Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has issued a grave national call to action, condemning what it now describes as a “well-orchestrated wicked plan” targeting children, following the brutal murder of a five-year-old boy.
In a heartfelt and piercingly honest national statement, Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla described the escalating wave of child abductions, violations, and killings as a moral crisis that threatens the very soul of the nation.
“MaSwati, it is clear to everybody now that we are dealing with a well-orchestrated wicked plan targeting our children,” said Dladla, her words resonating with urgency and pain. “This callous kidnapping, violation and murder of children in different parts of our country cannot continue unabated.”
The statement, issued on 28 May 2025, comes in the wake of rising national anger and despair, as communities struggle with the fear and trauma of losing children under horrific circumstances.
According to the DPM, the frequency and brutality of the attacks make it impossible to view these cases as isolated incidents.
Instead, they point to a sinister pattern that demands national mobilisation and collective vigilance.
“We cannot continue to wait for the next child to suffer a brutal premature death in the hands of heartless perpetrators,” the Deputy Prime Minister warned.
“This is not only evil but is a stark contrast to the values that Eswatini is known for – that children belong to the entire community and that we all have a duty to protect them.”
In a society historically rooted in communal responsibility, the violent targeting of children has become an open wound. The DPM questioned the very essence of such acts:
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla.
“Who harms a child? What possesses a person to cruelly take a life, let alone the life of an innocent soul? What kind of evil possesses a person to the point of depriving a mother and a father of the joy of raising their children?”
The anguish was not limited to rhetoric. The government acknowledged its limitations in tackling the scourge alone and appealed directly to every segment of society to play an active role in child protection.
“Government alone cannot win this fight. We need a whole society approach,” said Dladla, urging parents, caregivers, teachers, and communities at large to be vigilant, to report suspicious behaviour, and to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has been placed at the frontline of this response. According to the DPM, the police have assured the government of heightened vigilance and ongoing operations to track down those responsible.
Again, Citizens are being urged to use the police emergency hotline 999 or the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office toll-free child helpline 116 to report any unusual activities.
The call is not just to intervene after violence has occurred, but to prevent it, by enhancing an environment where children feel safe to speak, and where adults are attentive to the slightest signals of danger.
The statement emphasised the importance of empowering children to speak out and seek help.
“Let us encourage our children to speak up about violence, seek support from trusted adults, and report such cases,” Dladla urged.
“Let us all create a safe environment for children where they will grow and thrive, without having to constantly look over their shoulders in fear of what may befall them.”
The government’s words further carry the weight of sorrow, but also the resolve of a nation at a crossroads.
“No child should ever have their lives cut short for any reason or go through the traumatic experience of being neglected, violated and abused,” Dladla affirmed.
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