Africa-Press – Eswatini. As Eswatini steps into 2026, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has urged citizens to reflect on the past year and embrace the New Year with a renewed mindset focused on safety, responsibility and crime prevention.
In a New Year message shared on Thursday January 1, 2025, the police emphasized that building safe and crime-free communities requires the collective effort of all law-abiding citizens. Members of the public were encouraged to actively collaborate and cooperate with the police by reporting crime, remaining vigilant and supporting initiatives aimed at protecting lives and property.
The call comes as official police records indicate that while progress has been made in reducing certain crimes, challenges remain in others. Overall crime showed a modest decline in parts of 2025, with notable reductions recorded in serious offences such as armed robbery, robbery and murder. These gains were attributed to increased police visibility, intelligence-led operations and community cooperation.
However, the police warned that emerging and persistent threats continue to endanger communities. Cases of cybercrime, particularly online and mobile money scams, remain a growing concern, costing victims millions of emalangeni. Citizens were urged to stay alert, verify transactions and avoid sharing personal or banking details with unknown individuals.
Road safety also remains a priority. Police noted that road accidents and fatalities continue to claim lives, with drinking and driving identified as one of the major contributing factors. Motorists were strongly advised to obey traffic laws and exercise responsible behaviour to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Gender-Based Violence and other related crimes were highlighted as serious social challenges requiring urgent attention. While some categories of violent crime declined, incidents of sexual offences and domestic violence remain troubling. The police called on communities to speak out against abuse, support survivors and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
“As we enter the New Year, safety must be everyone’s responsibility,” the police said. “By working together, we can dismantle crime syndicates, prevent road accidents and create secure environments for our families.”
The Royal Eswatini Police Service concluded by wishing the nation a peaceful and prosperous New Year, urging all citizens to remain vigilant and united in the fight against crime.
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