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EZULWINI - Lobamba Indvuna Yenkhundla Bhekisisa Bhembe says he foresees the worst in the upcoming festive season as far as crime is concerned.
Bhembe said this was because police officers around the area no longer attended to residents at night, whereas this was the time most crimes were committed.
The festive season is a period characterised by crossover parties and huge gatherings. Some people imbibe in alcohol, resulting in squabbles and fights that need police intervention.
Bled
In an interview on Sunday, Bhembe said he and another resident of the area bled the whole night after they were attacked by a gang at his homestead a few weeks ago.
“We called the police on 999 and the officer responded that we should lock ourselves inside a house and deal with anyone showing his/her face. At the time of the call, I was trying to protect myself from the intruders. One member of the gang members assaulted me in the head with a glass. I persisted on calling the police but they kept repeating that I should lock myself in the house,” he said.
Attacks
He stated that he and the other resident bled the whole night without being attended to. He said they could not even use a private vehicle because they feared further attacks.
He stated that the nearest police station to him was in Lobamba, which was a less than 15-minute drive.
“The fact that police did not attend to us means that people are experiencing the same in other parts of the country.
Lobamba
Indvuna Bhekisisa Bhembe during the interview yesterday. INSET: The scar (circled) of the head injury Bhembe sustained when he was assaulted.
Government needs to do something about this before emaSwati are subjected to night crime,” he said.
Asked how the gang came to attacking him at his homestead, Bhembe shared that trouble began at the crowning of Miss Lobamba, which was held at Mdzimba View.
He said the venue free but the organisers decided to charge E50 per person.
“The venue was for free but we felt we should charge E50 in order to cater for other bills. We deployed security officers at the gate to ensure payment,” he said.
Bhembe stated that after some time, they learnt that some youth was demanding free entry and forced their way into the venue where they stole some drinking glasses from the establishment. He said a fight ensued with others, resulting in some of the youth hiding at his homestead situated next to the establishment. He said members of the gang proceeded to his house and assaulted everyone inside.
He stated that the police emphasised that he should fight from within the house when he persisted calling them.
He said he understood that the night environment might not be favourable to the police due to the prevailing political situation in the country. However, he said he did not believe that people should be subjected to criminals.
Bhembe suggested that the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) should outsource security service for the safety of the public.
“We have sold this idea to the police