Nhlangano thieves target essential commodities

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MBABANE – Nhlangano residents are falling victim to a wave of crime as criminals seemingly specialise in stealing food, clothes and gas cylinders.

The rising trend of burglaries in the town has sparked concern among the community and town officials, who are now working together to combat the issue.

With the rapid development of Nhlangano, major supermarkets have opened their doors, providing employment opportunities.

Unfortunately, criminals have seized this opportunity to target hardworking emaSwati, stealing essential items from their homes.

During a recent residents and ratepayers meeting, it was revealed that certain areas, including MacAlpine, Mathedele, Nkhanini, Siphumelele and Herbst, have become hotspots for housebreaking incidents.

Police

The Nhlangano Town Council, in collaboration with the police, is determined to prioritise community safety and address the concerns raised by residents.

CEO Babsy Mavuso expressed confidence in the partnership between the town council and the Royal Eswatini (REPS).

They aim to tackle the rising crime rates in the affected areas, focusing on the primary concerns of the community.

Housebreaking incidents have become so prevalent in these neighborhoods that they occur even during daytime.

Shockingly, some thieves have been reported to take their time by cooking a meal before making off with other stolen items. Eswatini News discovered that food, clothes and gas cylinders are targeted due to their ease of resale, with perpetrators often selling the stolen goods in places like Manzini.

Vigilance

Police

Service

Mavuso emphasised the town council’s commitment to community collaboration and vigilance in their efforts to create a safer Nhlangano.

Under the theme ‘it starts with you’, they hope to encourage residents to actively participate in crime prevention measures.

When asked about crime statistics and high-crime spots in the country, Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, explained that such information is typically only shared during specific events, which may occur annually or quarterly.