…. Cross-border alliances, wellness breakthroughs, and smart campaigns redefining safety in Eswatini
By Mbono Mdluli
LOBAMBA – The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has unveiled encouraging results from its latest crime report, highlighting a strategic shift in law enforcement that’s starting to bear fruit.
According to the first quarter performance report for 2025/2026, tabled by Prime Minister Russell Dlamini before Parliament on July 21, overall crime in the Kingdom has nudged downward, with volume crime down by 1.6% and serious crimes plunging by 9.9%.
But beyond the numbers lies a larger story: a force evolving to meet modern threats with innovation, regional solidarity, and renewed focus on the wellbeing of its own.
“We are witnessing the early signs of a safer Eswatini,” the report boldly states, while cautioning that persistent challenges, like murder, rape, and the theft of copper wire, require unrelenting attention.
One issue that continues to test the nation’s resolve is the surge in stock theft, especially in rural and border communities. In a decisive move, REPS launched high-impact Anti-Stock Theft Campaigns in Mhlambanyatsi and Siteki, rallying not only local communities but also law enforcement from South Africa and Mozambique.
“Cattle rustling is a regional scourge. It demands a united regional response,” said a senior REPS official, signalling stronger transnational ties in crime prevention.
Meanwhile, the roads of Eswatini have become the next frontier in safety reforms. Despite a 24% rise in road traffic accidents, primarily due to overspeeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving, authorities are doubling down on awareness and enforcement.
Tragically, pedestrians remain the most affected, prompting calls for urgent public cooperation and road-use discipline.
But safety efforts aren’t stopping at the streets and borders. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, REPS launched a Health and Wellness Manual, a dynamic guide developed under the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO), dedicated to boosting the physical and mental health of police officers.
“A healthy officer is a powerful protector,” reads the report. “Wellness is the foundation of performance.”
This holistic strategy, rooted in community, innovation, and collaboration, is turning the tide in Eswatini’s fight against crime.
As challenges shift, one thing remains constant: REPS’ unwavering commitment to building a safer, healthier, and more secure Kingdom.
(Featured Image: Eswatini TV News)
