By Delisa Thwala
In the streets of Eswatini, gangsterism is increasingly jeopardizing the safety and welfare of students.
Gangs entice young individuals with promises of protection, status, and financial gain, instilling an environment of fear and violence within schools and communities.
Reports indicate that over ten schools in the country have seen pupils as young as grade 5 engaging with gangs, displaying gang symbols on themselves, and adopting gangster behaviours in the classroom.
Among these schools is SOS Primary School, where this issue was thoroughly discussed during their annual teacher-parent meeting.
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The roots of gangsterism in Eswatini are complex and multifaceted, with poverty, unemployment, and social alienation identified as significant factors.
A law enforcement officer noted that students who feel marginalized or ignored in both school and society are particularly susceptible to gang recruitment.
A new gang, named Ama27, has emerged, wreaking havoc in communities and infiltrating several schools, with some pupils becoming members.
This new gang is a source of chaos within educational institutions. National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, revealed these troubling developments.
Masango expressed concern regarding this emergent gang, claiming it poses a greater threat than the existing 26s and 28s.
He shared that they recently became aware of this gang. Earlier this month, during a presentation at a Msibi homestead in Sandlane, he emphasized the police service’s deep concern over gangsterism’s impact on students’ lives. He called for collective action to combat gangs in schools.
“We urge Sandlane residents to stay close to their children and watch for any suspicious changes. Every parent should engage in discussions with their child upon returning from school.
Ask them about what they learned that day,” he advised.
He further encouraged parents to inquire about any challenges their children face on their way home.
“You may discover your child has a tattoo you’re unaware of simply because you haven’t interacted with them. Some parents may not understand the meaning behind these tattoos,” he stated.
Masango warned that members of this new gang are exceptionally brutal and dangerous. He noted that as gang numbers and influence rise, school grounds have become perilous environments rather than safe havens for learning and growth.
“Instead, they have transformed into battlegrounds for turf wars and drug trafficking. Students must navigate treacherous routes to reach school, and even in the classroom, they are not shielded from the threats of gang violence,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the WHO reported last month that gangsterism’s impact on education is catastrophic.
“Attendance rates decline as students fear for their safety, and academic performance suffers as they struggle to concentrate in a violent and intimidating environment,” the report stated.
In line with this, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, indicated that the new gang is particularly prevalent in urban schools.
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However, she also mentioned that they have recently received information about rural schools with pupils involved in the gang.
“The issue of gangsterism has been around for many years. Over time, we became familiar with the 26s and 28s gangs.
Now we see this emerging group called the 27s, which operates contrary to the others,” Vilakati noted.
In response to the rising number of pupils joining the new gang, Vilakati stated that they decided to warn parents and the public about the growing presence of gangs in schools.
She highlighted that children are the primary targets, with boys being the most frequently recruited.
“Unique signage, tattoos, and hand gestures are used to convey messages among members.
These signs help communicate essential information,” Vilakati added.
She also reported that this group is capable of severe violent crimes, including murder and assault with grievous bodily harm (GBH).
She mentioned incidents where gang members have committed murder.
“This problem deeply concerns us. We urge anyone involved to cease these activities. As police officers, we are committed to combating new forms of crime. Gang members frequently engage in violent confrontations,” she remarked.
Vilakati encouraged parents to continually monitor their children for any unusual changes and to respond quickly if they notice any peculiar markings.
“Parents should approach their children kindly when inquiring about changes in their lives. If parents are harsh, children may not feel comfortable opening up. Always be gentle with your child,” she advised.
Additionally, she encouraged parents to report any unusual behaviour in their children to the police for prompt action.
Acting NATCOM, Lydia Dlamini revealed during a workshop that gangs operate in tightly-knit cells that are difficult to infiltrate, with members bound to secrecy.
Dlamini mentioned that these cells consist of children who have transformed into ‘monsters,’ spreading fear and unrest in their communities.
She noted that the role of various agencies in combating crime, particularly community policing, has become increasingly complex and diversified, with criminal elements acting with impunity and forming networks across different sectors.
“Gangsterism has evolved into coordinated criminal activities, where gang members operate in secure cells and are sworn to secrecy about each other’s identities and their handlers,” Dlamini explained.
She emphasized that some children, who grew up in their communities, have now become sources of fear, creating an environment of unease.
“In collaboration with other agencies in the fight against crime, we must work to prevent the formation of such groups by establishing anti-crime clubs in schools and youth clubs working with local community committees and neighbourhood watch schemes,” Dlamini stated.
She reiterated that all operations should adhere to the Rule of Law to ensure the nation’s safety, security, and prosperity while upholding global human rights standards and practices.
