BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – The Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) has linked the continued rise in gender-based violence (GBV) cases to accused who are released on bail and allegedly breach their bail conditions before going on to commit similar offences, saying stricter enforcement of court-imposed conditions is critical to protecting survivors.
SWAGAA Executive Director Nonhlanhla Dlamini made the remarks during an interview on Friday, July 10, 2026. She said the organisation was increasingly concerned that some people released on bail for GBV-related offences were allegedly returning to commit the same crimes after violating the conditions of their release.
The Executive Director said the trend was contributing to the country’s growing GBV burden and undermining efforts to protect women, children and other survivors.
“We have always encouraged people experiencing abuse to seek help. However, some people are released on bail, violate the conditions of their release and go on to repeat the same offence,” she said.
Her remarks come as the country closely follows the case involving Zwane, who is facing four counts of murder and two counts under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act over the alleged rape and killing of four women at a church in Mfabantfu.
During recent court proceedings, prosecutors opposed bail and referred to previous rape allegations involving Zwane in arguing that he should remain in custody pending trial.
The Director said other cases had also highlighted the dangers of repeat offending while on bail. These include Sanele Mamba, who was accused of murdering his former girlfriend and her young son after being released on bail, and Mazwi Vilakati, who was accused of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl while out on bail after previously serving a prison sentence for rape. Cases involving Siphesihle Nxumalo and Phinda Hlophe have also intensified public debate over bail in serious GBV-related offences.
She noted that in serious offences such as rape, courts may impose strict bail conditions, including prohibiting any contact with complainants or witnesses, requiring accused persons to report regularly to a police station, remain at a fixed residential address, surrender travel documents and seek permission before leaving the country or changing residence.
She said any breach of these conditions should result in swift action, including the cancellation of bail where appropriate.
Dlamini called for stronger monitoring and enforcement of bail conditions, saying this would help protect survivors, encourage more victims to report abuse and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
#SWAGAA #GBV #GenderBasedViolence #BailConditions #Crime #Justice #SexualOffences #SODVAct #Eswatini
