SITEKI – Community safety and crime prevention remained at the forefront as Siteki Town Council hosted a consultative meeting with stakeholders from Wards 2 to 6 at the Town Hall today. The meeting followed the earlier Ward 1 engagement held on 11 September 2025 and forms part of the Council’s broader strategy to build safer, more resilient neighborhoods.
Ward 1 Outcomes as a Starting Point
During the Ward 1 meeting on 11 September 2025, stakeholders highlighted pressing challenges such as the theft of brass water meters, the illegal sale of dagga, and a rise in robberies linked to late-night liquor outlets. In response, they proposed solutions including the installation of maximum street lighting, bush clearing around hotspots, and the introduction of job creation initiatives to reduce youth vulnerability to crime. The meeting also successfully established a Ward 1 Development Committee to coordinate development priorities and strengthen collaboration with the Council.
Major Crimes Highlighted
Stakeholders from the five wards presented crime trends threatening community stability:
- Copper theft, house break-ins, and vandalism.
- Drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people.
- Gender-based violence and assaults within households.
- Thefts of water meters and other utilities.
- Unused and overgrown plots serving as criminal hideouts.
Root Causes of Crime
Participants identified several underlying causes fueling these crimes, including:
- Escalating youth unemployment.
- Poor street lighting and inadequate patrols.
- Abandoned or underutilized properties occupied by offenders.
- Weak coordination between communities and law enforcement.
- Family disintegration, poor parenting, and limited recreational opportunities.
Solutions Proposed
The wards outlined a set of practical strategies to address crime and strengthen community safety:
- Enhanced Lighting: Installation and maintenance of streetlights, with emphasis on solar-powered solutions.
- Environmental Action: Bush clearing, rehabilitation of abandoned plots, and demolition of derelict structures.
- Community Policing: Strengthened collaboration with the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and increased patrols.
- Youth Engagement: Expansion of sports and recreational facilities to positively occupy young people.
- Awareness Campaigns: Dialogues and education sessions on substance abuse, gender-based violence, and crime prevention.
- Reporting Mechanisms: Active communication channels for reporting new tenants, suspicious behavior, and emerging threats.
Key Players
The meeting emphasized a multi-stakeholder approach, assigning clear roles to:
- Residents and community leaders.
- Siteki Town Council (STC).
- Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and securities.
- Faith-based organizations.
- Private sector and property owners.
Council’s Call for Collective Action
Speaking at the meeting, the Council’s Community and Social Development Management Officer, Tibuyile Dlamini, commended the strong participation and emphasized that security and development must go hand in hand:
“When communities unite with the Council, police, and other stakeholders, we can overcome crime and create safer neighborhoods for all.”
Way Forward
The Council extended appreciation to residents for their active role and reaffirmed its commitment to working hand-in-hand with communities to make Siteki safer, stronger, and more united.
