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service during our stakeholder meeting at inkhundla level. We suggested that community police members should be roped in and be given the necessary tools in order to curb crime. Community police members can make a difference because they come from the communities, where some of these crimes are committed. They know the exact locations and they devise strategies in dealing with occurring crimes,” Bhembe said.

He said community police members under the constituency had shown commitment. He added that the community police members had requested motor vehicles in order to conduct random patrols through the Regional Development Fund. He said another option would be to rope in Military Police from the army just to ensure safety amid the prevailing situation.

Criminals

“Something really needs to be done before the worst happens. We cannot live in a society where emaSwati are being attacked without getting assistance from the police. If criminals roam freely now, it means the situation will be worse during the festive season. People will be hacked and left to die,” he said.

He added the unfortunate part was that criminals had capitalised on the prevailing political situation which had induced fear in the police officers.

It should be noted that police officers and other members of the State security organs are at high risk during the night as they are targeted by unknown people. Ten officers have been shot dead by unknown people since the beginning of the unrest. Some were killed at their homesteads, while others were killed in the line of duty.

Bhembe said recording statements with the police after your property had been damaged would never help anyone. He said in his situation, he with the help of other residents, managed to chase the gang out of his homestead. However, in the absence of the police, the gang mobilised and returned to his homestead where they stabbed one of the people found there.

A resident of the area shared the same sentiments with Bhembe. However, he was quick to state that another solution could be avoiding drinking sprees and gatherings which were likely to cause fights.

Licenses

“It is unfortunate that police no longer attend to the public at night yet government has issued licences for the sale of alcohol even in rural areas. We really need to find a solution to this problem,” said the resident

Random interviews from people in Nhlangano, Pigg’s Peak and Siteki pointed out that police officers no longer attended to reported incidents at night. The residents shared that they were always advised to try other safety measures.

Night

“Police no longer attend at night. They come the following morning whenever an incident was reported at night,” said the residents.

Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni said they remained loyal to their oath of protecting life and property but as they executed their duties, it was important that they considered their own safety too.

“From recent incidents, it is vital for the police to scrutinise reports, especially at night then use their discretion. On this note, we request the community to also use our partners such as the community police when they are faced with challenges,” she said.