BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– The Royal Eswatini Police Service have expressed their sentiments on this year’s Valentine’s Day.
Earlier today, the REPS, through its various online platforms, came out to say people should not let today’s celebrations end in tragedy.
“As we celebrate this day of love, let us all love and respect one another.
“Do not be a perpetrator of violence against your loved ones and those around you,” read a Happy Valentine’s Day note from the REPS.
Locals applauded police for the message in comments sections, saying the message was inclusive.
“Thank you police. Happy Valentine’s Day REPS. Akubekuhle bafana bembube (sic),” commented one social media user.
Another social media user said they appreciated the great work they (police), were doing; stating that they should protect them on the roads tonight.
In the meantime, we recently published that in a quest to end gender-based violence (GBV), the Eswatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) hosted a breakfast prayer against GBV.
This prayer was attended to by pastors, activists, and the public, in a quest to pray for today (Valentine’s Day) – as it is a day that is generally known for an increase in GBV cases and crimes of passion.
Speaking on Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Service (EBIS 1) this morning on a live show ‘Letishisako’, SWAGAA Executive Director Nonhlanhla Dlamini confirmed the prayer, saying Valentine’s Day was chose intentionally as a day to pray against GBV.
“Valentine’s Day is normally followed by reports of gender-based violence and crimes of passion. We are also holding this prayer today for the country to celebrate a peaceful Valentine’s Day. “We pray that we do not wake up to gruesome reports in the newspapers,” commented Dlamini.
