By Delisa Thwala
As police tighten their grip on drunk driving, an intriguing trend has emerged—very few women are being arrested for the offence.
Despite hundreds of motorists being charged since January, statistics from the country’s magistrates’ courts reveal that men make up the overwhelming majority of offenders.
In Mbabane, fewer than five women have been booked for driving under the influence this year, and across all four regions, the number barely surpasses 10.
This stark contrast raises critical questions: Are women simply more responsible behind the wheel, or do their infractions go unnoticed?
Is there a behavioural difference in drinking and driving patterns between men and women, or could other factors be at play?
The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has been running an aggressive nationwide operation targeting reckless drivers, particularly those caught under the influence.
Yet, based on court records, it is men who continue to fill the dock in alarming numbers.
As this trend unfolds, experts and law enforcement officials weigh in on what could be behind the gender disparity in Eswatini’s drunk driving statistics.
Men remain the most common offenders when it comes to driving under the influence.
Despite this, the police have not ruled out the possibility that some women manage to evade arrest due to more cautious behaviour.
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“We find that women are less likely to drive when intoxicated. They either get a sober friend to drive them or use alternative transport.
This is something we do not often see with male drivers,” said a senior police officer.
A review of court records from the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court confirms this trend. In the past three months, there have been over 50 cases of drunk driving brought before the court, yet only three involved female defendants.
One of the few women who appeared in court for the offence was 32-year-old Thandeka Simelane (not her real name), who was arrested outside a popular nightclub in the capital.
During her court appearance, she admitted to consuming alcohol before driving but pleaded for leniency, stating that she was unaware she had exceeded the legal limit.
“I had two glasses of wine and thought I was fine to drive,” she told the magistrate. “I was shocked when I was stopped and told my alcohol levels were above the limit.
I’ve learned my lesson and will never take the risk again.”
Magistrate Innocent Motsa fined her E3,000 and warned that repeat offences would result in harsher penalties, including the possibility of a suspended license.
The statistics have sparked debate among the public, with many questioning whether women truly drink and drive less, or if they are simply more adept at avoiding detection.
Philani Mavuso, a taxi driver who operates around the busy hotspots of Mbabane, believes women are just as guilty as men but are less likely to get caught.
“Women don’t drive around as much when they are drunk. They either leave their cars and take cabs, or they make sure they drive very carefully to avoid roadblocks,” he said.
Others, like Nokuthula Mabuza, argue that women tend to be more responsible when drinking.
“We have seen too many stories of road accidents caused by drunk drivers, and most of the time, it’s men. Women are more likely to make arrangements before they even start drinking.”
Meanwhile, Sipho Dlamini, who has been arrested for drunk driving before, believes the police are simply more lenient toward female drivers.
“I have been stopped at roadblocks where women were intoxicated, but they were let go with just a warning. If it’s a man, there’s no mercy,” he claimed.
Social behaviour experts say the difference in numbers could be attributed to how men and women handle alcohol consumption.
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Psychologist Dr. Thembekile Hlatshwayo suggests that women tend to plan their outings better than men.
“Men are more likely to engage in impulsive behaviour when under the influence of alcohol. Women, on the other hand, are socialized to be more cautious, particularly when it comes to safety,” she explained.
She also noted that societal expectations play a role. “A woman caught drunk driving faces more stigma than a man. This could be why many women avoid taking the risk altogether.”
Magistrates have continued to issue stern warnings against all drivers caught under the influence, regardless of gender.
In a recent court case in Manzini, a male driver who had been arrested twice within a month for drunk driving was sentenced to three months in jail without the option of a fine.
Speaking on this, Magistrate Sabelo Nkosi stated, “The courts have been lenient for too long. Drunk driving endangers innocent lives, and we will no longer tolerate reckless behaviour on our roads.”
He went on to emphasize that women were not exempt from the law. “While we see fewer cases involving women, we must remember that the law applies equally to everyone.
Anyone caught drunk driving will face the consequences.”
As police continue their operations, road safety organizations are calling for increased awareness campaigns aimed at all drivers, regardless of gender.
Siphesihle Ngwenya, a road safety advocate, believes education is key.
“Instead of just punishing offenders, we need to focus on prevention. People need to understand that even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgment.
We must push for safer choices, such as designated drivers, ride-sharing, and stricter regulations in bars and clubs.”
With the festive season approaching, authorities have warned that roadblocks will be intensified, and penalties for drunk driving will be enforced without exceptions.
While the numbers show that women are rarely arrested for drunk driving, the debate continues over whether this is due to responsible behaviour, police leniency, or simply a difference in how men and women approach drinking.
What remains certain, however, is that the dangers of driving under the influence affect everyone on the road, and stricter enforcement of the law may be the only way to ensure public safety.