By Tandzile Dlamini
MBABANE – The Go Green Fun Day held in Msunduza this past Saturday not only championed environmental responsibility but also became a platform for raising awareness about child safety amid rising concerns over child abductions in Eswatini.
The event, brought together residents, stakeholders, and school children for a clean-up campaign, took a serious and heartfelt turn as community police and the Royal Eswatini Police used the occasion to urge parents to be more vigilant in protecting children. Their message came in response to a disturbing rise in cases where children are kidnapped and later found dead ,a crisis that has left the nation grieving and on high alert.
Speaking during the event, Mongi Dlamini, a community police officer from Msunduza, pleaded with parents to take extra precautions. “I am pleading with you, parents, to always watch your kids and accompany them to and from school to ensure their safety. I assure you that as community police, we are committed to protecting children. I also urge my fellow community police officers to patrol whenever possible and keep an eye on the young ones,” he said.
The call was reinforced by the Royal Eswatini Police Service, represented by Sergeant Benjamin Magagula, the Post Commander. He expressed the police’s concern over the alarming trend of child abductions and offered practical advice to both children and guardians.
“We encourage pupils to walk in groups when going to and from school. Most children carry school bags with their names written on them ,this makes it easy for a stranger to call out their name and pretend to be sent to fetch them. Children, please do not go with anyone you do not know and to the community at large, avoid moving around at night,” he said.
The safety message resonated deeply with residents, adding emotional weight to an event that initially began as an environmental campaign. Hosted by Eswatini Positive News in partnership with Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini.
Community members were reminded not only to care for the environment but also to take responsibility for safeguarding children, the nation’s most precious resource. The Go Green Fun Day served as a timely reminder that building a better society means protecting both our surroundings and our future generations.
