SWAZILAND: More police to curb rising crime in Manzini

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

MANZINI, 6 Dec 2004 (IRIN) - Chronic unemployment and overcrowding are to blame for the steady rise in violent crime in Swaziland's largest urban centre, Manzini, according to the city's residents.

While the media continue to report incidents of attacks against prominent figures - a robber recently stabbed a former health minister seven times at the local post office - local leaders and the police are stymied for a solution.

The city made international headlines earlier this year when bus conductors enforced a ban on women wearing miniskirts at the bus terminus by gang-raping an 18-year-old girl.

"Manzini has always had a reputation as being a wild place, but it's never been so deadly," Thandi Magagula, a long-time resident told IRIN.

A local attorney said the crimes were perpetrated by disaffected youth, who bore the brunt of the ailing economy. With few jobs available, thousands of young people had no option but to roam the streets of the city. About 60 percent of Swazis are under 15.

"Today's thugs are ruthless because they feel they have nothing to lose. They see crime as survival and revenge. Some are on drugs," the attorney said.

Manzini, just 35 km southeast of the capital, Mbabane, is seen as the country's commercial hub. Because of its central location, it is also the point of departure for the national road network and bus routes. On any given day, travellers and illegal migrants can swell the city's permanent population of 80,000 to double that.

"There are too many people in Manzini. The growth in the crime rate is due to the fact that the city is congested," said mayor Owen Nxumalo.

There are now plans to build police posts in all residential townships, and expand the municipal police force to complement the Royal Swaziland Police Force.

Although some residents welcomed the move, they were unconvinced that it would alleviate the situation. "The Royal Swaziland Police shows up in their numbers, armed to the teeth, whenever the workers' federations [which are headquartered in Manzini] plan a political march, but they disappear at all other times," Magagula said.

Another concern was the impact of HIV/AIDS on the structure of the family. It is estimated that by 2010, over one-tenth of the population will consist of AIDS orphans.

"Who will teach these children right from wrong?" asked Derek von Wissell, director of the National Emergency Response Committee on HIV/AIDS.

Ten years ago street children were unknown in Manzini. Today they are a common sight, with most claiming to have lost their parents to AIDS, or saying they fled their homes because of abuse and neglect.

[ENDS]