BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – The joy of the festive season was overshadowed by a series of tragic incidents across the country, reminding communities of the urgent need for calm, responsibility, and collective vigilance.
While the holidays are traditionally a time of celebration and togetherness, law enforcement authorities and community leaders are appealing to the nation to embrace peace and protect one another, especially during emotionally heightened periods.
According to police reports, several isolated incidents resulted in the loss of lives between December 24 and 26, highlighting how minor disagreements and uncontrolled anger can escalate into irreversible tragedies. In one case, a 33-year-old man was fatally stabbed during an altercation at a social gathering in Siphocosini. The suspect, a 20-year-old man, was swiftly arrested by Mbabane police following the incident, a development that demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to maintaining justice and public safety.
In another heartbreaking incident, a Christmas family outing turned tragic at Mafutseni when a six-year-old child drowned after slipping back into a swimming pool unnoticed. Authorities have used the incident to reinforce their life‑saving message for parents and guardians to exercise extra caution when children are near water. The festive season may bring excitement and playful energy among young people, but safety remains paramount.
Meanwhile, in Fairview, a family was left devastated after a brief domestic dispute resulted in the fatal stabbing of a 50‑year‑old man, allegedly by his 13‑year‑old stepson. The incident has sparked renewed calls for peaceful conflict resolution within households and the strengthening of emotional support structures for children and families. Experts and social workers continue to encourage families to seek counseling and mediation during disputes rather than resorting to violence.
Police in Pigg’s Peak are also investigating a violent confrontation in Mavula that left two men dead and others injured following a confrontation that spiraled into mob retaliation. The Royal Eswatini Police Service has strongly condemned vigilantism, urging communities to allow the law to take its course. Authorities emphasized that revenge‑driven actions only deepen the cycle of violence and tear communities apart, while peaceful reporting of crime helps build safer neighborhoods for all.
Across all these incidents, the unifying message from law enforcement and community leaders is clear: life is precious, and violence robs families, communities, and the nation of valued members. The festive period should remain a time of gratitude, compassion, and unity, not loss.
Police have reaffirmed their commitment to swift response, professional investigations, and ongoing public safety education. Communities, in turn, are encouraged to stand together in promoting responsible behavior, conflict de‑escalation, and emotional support networks, particularly for young people and vulnerable households.
As the country reflects on these tragedies, there is hope that the lessons learned will inspire renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence, community care, and the safeguarding of every life, today and in the seasons ahead.
