Teenage girl reported missing after alleged abuse in custodian’s home
ByThokozani Mazibuko
A Form 2 teenage girl has gone missing under troubling circumstances, leading many to question if vulnerable children are truly protected and if community policing is effective.
Reliable sources say the missing girl, who is considered an Orphaned and Vulnerable Child (OVC), was allegedly molested by her custodian’s son.
Community members, speaking to Eswatini Sunday on condition of anonymity due to ethical reasons, revealed that the teenager had sought help from locals prior to her disappearance.
“She tried to reach out to us as community members about her situation and we advised her to approach the community police,” one resident explained.
“However, after she reported, the community cops didn’t do anything; they reported the matter to the Royal Eswatini Police Service. She had been beaten by her custodian mother the day she disappeared.”
The case has left residents frustrated, as many feel the community police did not do enough to alert the authorities.
The girl’s disappearance after reports of abuse and neglect has made people in the community very worried, and some fear for her safety if action is not taken soon.
When approached for comment, an official from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) acknowledged the case but stressed that certain procedures must be followed.
“We can only act when a missing person report has been filed and after she has been found by the police,” the officer said.
Child rights advocates have criticized this response, saying action should be taken right away when a child’s safety is at risk, especially if there are claims of abuse.
Eswatini Sunday also reached out to the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) for clarification. Deputy Police Information and Communication Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed that authorities were aware of the matter.
“We will open an investigation on this matter and let the law take its course,” she said.
This case highlights how vulnerable orphaned and vulnerable children are in the country. Many live in unsafe conditions, and having a custodian does not always guarantee their safety.
Human rights groups have long warned that issues with community policing and reporting often leave abused children without support.
As the search for the missing teenager continues, residents are calling for urgent reforms. They want reports of abuse and neglect to be taken seriously from the start, and for community police to be held accountable for protecting vulnerable people.
Right now, no one knows where the young girl is, and the community is anxiously waiting for news that could bring her home safely.