By Zweli Martin Dlamini

The role played by the Times of eSwatini and the Eswatini Action Group Against Abuse(SWAGAA) in exposing domestic violence and subsequently influencing the enactment of the Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence(SODV) Act must be applauded.

Times Managing Editor Martin Dlamini, the then News editor Nathie Gule and Editor Cassandra Shaw played a significant role in ensuring that, domestic violence is exposed and taken seriously in this country.

As an Editor myself, I know what it takes to try and shape the perspective of the society on a particular issue of public interest.

Without the consistent efforts and the collaboration between the media and the civil society, we wouldn’t have known that, we are facing a serious crisis in this country.

This week, Vusi Mncina, a Deputy Sheriff allegedly killed four(4) women at Goje TownShip-eZulwini, this incident suggests that, the media, law enforcement agencies and the civil society must vigorously work together to force government to declare Gender Based Violence(GBV) a national crisis.

Furthermore, we must demand answers from the relevant law enforcement agencies as to why women are abused and killed in this country despite the existence of the law that should be acting as an deterrence measure.

Well, at first it was hard for me to understand why the Times was consistently publishing domestic violence articles, but then I was still young in the media, the editors knew what they were doing and the SODV Act was the product of their efforts.

As the editor of this publication, I am also pledging this platform to women rights organizations, our society must be educated about GBV, we need to create awareness instead of reacting after such brutal incidents.