WHILE the world celebrated the resilience and nurturing role of mothers yesterday on Mother’s Day, a heartbreaking incident has emerged in Dvokolwako.
The disturbing case has led to a woman being arrested for allegedly physically abusing her partner’s two minor children, aged three and five, with whom she had been living.
The woman, employed as a security guard at one of the health facilities in Manzini, was reportedly left in charge of the children at her rented flat in Dvokolwako, while their father works in Mhlume.
This case has raised urgent concerns about the safety and welfare of children left in the care of others.
According to information gathered by this publication, the children’s biological mother abandoned them in 2022.
Following this, the maternal family handed them over to their father.
It was then agreed between the father and his girlfriend, the suspect, that she would stay with the children and take care of them, as the father worked far from home. The arrangement was that he would support them financially and visit regularly.
However, neighbours reported that since the woman began staying with the children, she had been heard shouting at them aggressively, and was allegedly seen pinching them, hitting them with thick sticks, and even knocking them against walls.
Last week, the situation reportedly took a critical turn. Neighbours, alarmed by the intensity of one particular incident, contacted the police after reportedly witnessing the woman assaulting the five-year-old by banging him against a wall.
The child was left with a swollen face and visible injuries on his body. It was then that community members, who had long suspected abuse, took decisive action and reported her to authorities.
When contacted, the children’s father expressed shock and sadness. He told this publication that he had not suspected any abuse. He explained that he had been raising the children on his own since their mother left them at her parental home. According to him, their mother now has another child with a different partner.
He said he had been doing his best to care for his children, with support from his girlfriend. “I received a call while I was at work, saying that my children had been assaulted by my girlfriend. I was told to report to Mliba Police Station,” he recounted.
He added that he went to the police station the next day, where the children were handed over to him. He was also allowed to see his girlfriend, who was already in custody. “I tried to question her, but I don’t think she could fully explain what had happened, she seemed shaken by the arrest. She only admitted to hitting one child on Thursday,” he said.
The father maintained that during his visits, he never witnessed any signs of abuse, and believed that the children were being well looked after.
Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, confirmed that the woman had been arrested by Mliba police following the allegations of abuse. She stated that the accused would appear before the Manzini Magistrate’s Court today.
This case is a painful reminder of the risks faced by children in non-parental care. In a similar previously reported incident, two young boys in Siphumelele Township, Nhlangano, were reportedly subjected to extreme physical abuse by a woman who was caring for them.
The children, aged two and four, were found severely malnourished, with one having his private parts tied to prevent him from urinating inside the house. One of the children later died from his injuries.
In response to the incident, Clinical Psychologist Dr Thandeka Dlamini expressed serious concern about the long-term psychological impact of abuse on young children, especially in substitute care arrangements where they lack consistent emotional support.
Dr Dlamini noted that children as young as three and five are in crucial developmental stages where they rely heavily on caregivers for safety, attachment, and emotional regulation. “When a caregiver becomes a source of fear and trauma instead of comfort and security, the psychological damage can be profound and long-lasting,” she explained.
She emphasised that children exposed to such abuse are at high risk of developing anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, attachment difficulties, and may struggle with emotional regulation and trust throughout their lives. “These children may not have the vocabulary to describe their pain, but the trauma manifests in other ways; withdrawal, aggression, developmental delays, and nightmares,” she opined.
Dr Dlamini called for improved screening and monitoring of guardians or partners left in charge of children, particularly when one or both biological parents are absent. She also highlighted the importance of trauma counselling and safe placement for the affected children moving forward.
“As we reflect on the meaning of motherhood and care this week, let us remember that every child deserves love, protection, and safety.
When society fails to ensure this, the scars are not just physical, they are emotional and often invisible,” she said.
