- 1 522 child maintenance cases reported, 1 060 resolved
- 751 GBV and child abuse clients counselled, 577 cases resolved
- 79 custody and guardianship cases received, 38 completed
BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – A major push to strengthen child protection and family support has seen the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO), through the Department of Social Welfare, handle 2,941 social welfare cases between April and June 2026, as government continues efforts to improve the welfare of vulnerable Emaswati.
According to the DPMO First Quarter Performance Report for the 2026/27 financial year, the Department received 1 522 child maintenance cases, up from 1 134 recorded during the same period in the previous financial year.
Social workers successfully resolved 1 060 cases, while 298 were referred to the Magistrates’ Courts after parties defaulted on maintenance payments, failed to attend mediation sessions or could not agree on maintenance amounts. Another 434 cases remain under various stages of processing.
The report attributes the increase in maintenance defaults largely to the country’s difficult economic conditions, which have affected some parents’ ability to meet their financial obligations. It notes that mediation remains the Department’s first approach before unresolved matters are referred to court.
The Department also received 79 custody and guardianship cases from the courts for socio-economic investigations. Of these, 38 cases were completed, while 41 remain under investigation due to transport constraints, incomplete information from parties, lengthy court processes and failure by some parties to attend mediation sessions.
In child protection, the Department recorded 1 340 abuse cases, with neglect accounting for 604 cases, making it the most common form of abuse reported during the quarter. A total of 751 clients received counselling, resulting in 577 cases being successfully resolved, while 174 cases remain ongoing. The Department also identified 26 children who required alternative care and protection.
Beyond case management, the Department continued implementing the Nkwe Community Outreach Programme, taking government services closer to communities. Through the programme, social workers identified vulnerable households, elderly persons and persons with disabilities, linking them to services such as disability grants, food parcels, decent housing, assistive devices and sun protection creams.
Awareness campaigns were also conducted on responsible parenting, child maintenance, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, bullying, gangsterism, gambling and children’s rights and responsibilities.
The report further states that the National Disability Unit continued working with government ministries, organisations of persons with disabilities and development partners to promote inclusion, raise awareness and improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
Despite the progress, the Department highlighted several challenges affecting service delivery. These include inadequate transport, which limits officers’ ability to respond quickly to emergencies and conduct field investigations, staff shortages that have resulted in burnout and compassion fatigue, and the continued stigma surrounding mental health, which discourages some people from seeking help early.
To strengthen services, the Department recommended intensified public education to reduce stigma and encourage timely access to mental health services. It also called for the establishment of a fully equipped relaxation room for therapeutic sessions and an increase in the number of mental health practitioners to improve service delivery and meet the growing demand for counselling and psychosocial support.
The report says these interventions reflect government’s continued commitment to strengthening child protection, promoting family stability and ensuring that essential social welfare services reach vulnerable communities across the Kingdom.
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