“…no matter how embarrassing… it is not more important than your life.” — PM
BY MBONGENI NDLELA
LOBAMBA – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has made a bold and compassionate declaration: suicides in Eswatini are now a national concern.
The Premier made this announcement during the Senate debate on the 1st Quarter Performance Report for the Prime Minister’s Office, in response to growing concern over multiple recent suicide cases affecting both law enforcement officers and the general public.
The conversation was initiated by Senator Chief Ngangabani, who expressed deep sympathy to the PM over the tragic suicides of two police officers in the past fortnight. With a solemn tone, the PM acknowledged the weight of the crisis and reminded the nation that mental health must now be treated with urgency.
“If you recall, we addressed this matter at length last year, including when we were in Lobamba,” said the PM.
“I want to express my condolences to the Nation for the loss of these police officers and others who have left us in the same manner. I want to also say, no matter the problem you face in life and no matter how embarrassing you feel it is to you, it is not more important than your life.”
A Crisis Unfolding: Recent Tragedies
The Premier’s remarks come just days after the nation was shaken by two police suicides in one week:
- July 21, 2025 – A senior officer at the Malkerns Police Station was found dead at the camp, having taken his own life with a firearm. Described as disciplined and spiritual, his sudden death left colleagues and family in shock.
- July 29, 2025 – A young officer reportedly turned his service weapon on himself while on duty at the Lobamba Police Station, marking yet another devastating loss in the force.
These back-to-back incidents have sent waves of concern across the Royal Eswatini Police Service and raised alarm bells among policymakers and mental health professionals.
Underlying Pressure: Financial Strain and Delayed Salaries
In the wake of these incidents, junior police officers have come forward expressing long-standing frustrations, particularly over the delayed implementation of Phase II salary increments. Despite a Supreme Court ruling in their favor, officers say they have waited over a decade for rightful adjustments.
The Royal Eswatini Police Staff Association (REPOSA) has echoed these concerns, stating that unresolved financial grievances are contributing to emotional breakdowns and stress-related illnesses within the force.
A statement from a colleague of the late Assistant Inspector Lucky Vilakati, who died by suicide at Malkerns, captured the mood:
“It’s either we keep quiet and commit suicide or fight for the salary increment… we are being pushed beyond limits.”
A National Turning Point
The PM’s declaration is being seen as a critical moment in national leadership, where mental wellness is no longer treated as a private issue, but as a shared societal responsibility.
His address calls on churches, schools, families, and government departments to open space for conversations on emotional well-being and to ensure that no citizen suffers in silence.
“Let us remind each other that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a brave act of hope,” the PM emphasized.
Mental health practitioners and civil society groups have welcomed the PM’s stance, urging for it to be followed by increased funding for counseling services, workplace wellness programs, and national awareness campaigns that break stigma.
A Call for Compassion
Dlamini’s declaration elevates a long-overdue conversation to the highest level of national discourse. It serves as a rallying cry for unity, compassion, and proactive solutions in the face of a painful yet preventable crisis.
In the PM’s own words, Eswatini is reminded that no challenge is insurmountable, and no life should be lost to silence.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. Help is available, and your life matters.
(Courtesy Pics)
