Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has declared war on drugs and gangsterism in the Kingdom.
The PM assured that they would deal with the rampant distribution of drugs especially in Manzini with immediate effect.
Dlamini also called upon the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) to upscale their fight against gangsterism in the country.
“We will deal with the drug lords as a matter of urgency, we have noted the concern by the Senate,” said Dlamini in response to a concern raised by Senator Lindiwe Ngwenya.
The senator claimed that not enough was being done by REPS to address the issue of drugs in the country to the extent that it had been common knowledge that certain hotspots were untouchable such as Fairview and next Central High School in Manzini.
She said the level at which the drug hotspots were openly operating left a lot to be desired as to why the police were not taking firm action.
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“Manzini seems to be a haven for drugs but the police are not doing anything. I would like the PM to explain what is being done to curb the abuse and distribution of drugs in the country especially in Manzini, where it is rife,” said Ngwenya.
Dlamini was also asked how he had planned to curb gangsterism which seemed to be growing in the kingdom. Senator Linda Nxumalo claimed that gangsterism was rife to the extent that it was being instilled in the younger generation while still at school.
“Gangsterism must stop. We need an intentional effort to curb it,” said Nxumalo.
The PM also recently conceded to the need for enactment of legislation to curb gangsterism in Eswatini.
In response to the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee for Private and Cabinet Office,
the PM said the levels of gangsterism in the country were a grave concern.
“It is true that gangsterism is a serious challenge facing the country that has seen our youth being caught in its dangerous tentacles.
The suggestions by Member of Parliament Welcome Dlamini of targeted legislation, and creation of a specialised unit within the Police Service including improving the offender rehabilitation systems are all spot-on
and Government will give the proposals due consideration,” read the PM’s response in part.
The Mbabane East Member of Parliament Welcome Dlamini had canvassed for the promulgation of the Suppression of Gangsterism Act to curb the rising level of gangs in the kingdom in particular in urban
locations.
The MP said the submission to enact legislation to curb gangsterism had been propelled by the latest incident where two people were killed by gangs at Msunduza.
In the quest to find justice for the murdered duo, REPS also shot and killed two on-the-run suspects who were linked to the murders which were gang-related.
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“May the office of the PM review legislation which relates to gangsterism. We need a different approach.
It cannot be the normal way of doing things. I propose legislative reforms such as the drafting of a gang suppression act which will criminalise membership, recruiting and being a leader of a gang.
The issue of gangs has now reached extremes, we can no longer take it as a society,” he submitted.
The MP also appealed for amendment of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act to fast-track prosecution of gang-related crimes.
He said it was disheartening to note that some of the people who continued committing crimes were out on bail for gang-related crimes.
“We need a specialised gang unit within the police service to decisively deal with these gangs,” Dlamini urged.
