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MBABANÉ – If you are attacked and you call the police, what are the chances that they will arrive quickly?
The answer is “very unlikely”, according to some officers, as traffic is such a challenge that it is now almost impossible for them to respond quickly to criminal activity, especially issues related to gender-based violence (GBV). Cases of gender-based violence are reportedly continuing to increase in Swaziland, with some groups calling for it to be declared a national disaster as it would provide authorities with more resources to tackle the issue. Recently, this publication reported on a case of gender-based violence that resulted in the death of a woman who was allegedly killed by her husband, who also forced his underage children to consume toxic chemicals before committing suicide.
dissatisfied
Shockingly, disgruntled police officers from the Royal Swaziland Police Service (REPS) have come forward to voice their concerns over the challenges faced in combating gender-based violence. Some police officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed the dire situation they face every day when handling gender-based violence cases due to the lack of necessary tools and resources. They say these concerns prevent them from effectively handling cases of gender-based violence. A police officer, Jomo, highlighted the lack of resources, especially the lack of special vehicles for official duties.
They explained that REPS primarily uses vans, usually to catch criminals or transport bodies. However, Jomo said the vehicles were not suitable for transporting survivors of abuse or violence and rape victims to police stations or hospitals for medical examinations. As a result, officers are forced to rely on public transportation, further compromising the health and safety of survivors.
pollute
A legal expert also said that one of the main reasons why it is not recommended to transport survivors in the same vehicle as the perpetrators is that they may be contaminated.
Legal officials explain this by saying that if a person commits a rape and is transported in a vehicle, the vehicle will be contaminated with the DNA of the alleged rapist. “If we use the same vehicle to transport a rape survivor, there is a chance that the survivor could be carrying the DNA of the suspect that was left in the vehicle.
Another pressing issue being raised by more police officers is the scarcity of suitable winter uniforms. As the weather turns colder, some officers are choosing to wear their own sweatshirts over their uniforms instead of wearing proper winter police attire.
destroy
Lack of adequate clothing not only affects their comfort, but also undermines their professionalism and credibility in the performance of their duties. This also makes it difficult for people to recognize them as legitimate police officers. Officers said without proper clothing to keep them warm, it was difficult to concentrate on the job, especially at night. They revealed that some people who were lucky enough to own a vehicle ended up having to spend most of the evening sitting in their car using the heater. The revelations have raised concerns among police officers, who claim that their ability to effectively combat gender-based violence is severely compromised by a lack of necessary tools and resources. The situation is particularly bad in rural communities, where cases of gender-based violence appear to be on the rise.
challenge
The lack of suitable vehicles to transport survivors and suspects further exacerbates the challenges faced by police in these areas. When asked why the vans were not good enough, Jomo explained that most vans used in criminal cases were in poor condition and were not suitable for transporting, for example, people who had been physically assaulted. “Imagine putting a person injured from an assault on the steel floor in the back of a van? It’s not right,” he said.
*Names have been changed.
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