Police have launched a homicide investigation following the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old man from Somnjalose, who was allegedly attacked after suspects mistook him for one of the people pursuing them following an altercation at a local drinking spot.
The incident, which has left the Somnjalose community in shock, occurred during the early hours of Saturday, July 11, 2026.
According to the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), a report was lodged with Lobamba Police at approximately 3:08 am after the victim’s body was discovered in the area. 
Police said the deceased had sustained a stab wound to the upper left side of his chest, an injury that proved fatal.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the victim may have been an innocent bystander who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
According to information gathered by investigators, the chain of events began at a local drinking establishment in Somnjalose, where a group of men allegedly caused a disturbance.
Police allege that during the commotion, the suspects took money from another patron who had been at the establishment.
The incident reportedly prompted intervention from bouncers working at the drinking spot, who attempted to stop the suspects and recover the stolen money.
Faced with the intervention, the suspects allegedly fled the scene before they could be apprehended.
As they made their escape, investigators believe the suspects noticed the 24-year-old victim walking or moving in the same direction behind them.
Police suspect the fleeing men mistakenly believed the victim was one of the bouncers or individuals chasing after them following the disturbance at the drinking spot.
Acting on that assumption, the suspects allegedly turned on the victim and attacked him.
He was reportedly stabbed once with a sharp object in the chest before the suspects fled the area, leaving him critically injured.
The victim succumbed to the injury, and his body was later discovered, leading to the homicide investigation.
