Mafutseni Member of Parliament Sabelo Mtetwa has urged government to consider introducing fines for foreign nationals who impregnate girls in Eswatini, saying such a move would help protect the girl child.
Mtetwa made the suggestion during the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office second-quarter performance debate held yesterday.
He began by highlighting the urgent need for DNA testing to be conducted locally, noting that disputes over child paternity were contributing to rising cases of violence.
“People are killing each other because of paternity issues. Some men deny children simply because they don’t want to maintain them,” he said.
‘Make Them Pay’
The MP explained that he drew inspiration from other countries where men who impregnate girls are fined heavily, or in some cases, required to marry them after cohabiting for a set period.
“Some people come from their countries and impregnate our girls. In some nations, people pay fines of up to US$80,000 (E1.3 million), while in others, once you cohabit with a girl for six months, you are forced to marry her,” he stated.
Mtetwa said implementing similar measures in Eswatini would deter the exploitation of young girls and ease the burden on the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, which often handles cases of child maintenance and social welfare.
“There are many foreign nationals who have made girls pregnant in the country, and they are neglecting their children. The country must ensure these individuals are held accountable,” he added.
GBV and Paternity Concerns
The MP also linked the issue to gender-based violence (GBV), arguing that domestic disputes often stem from paternity confusion and infidelity.
Timphisini MP Thulani Nsingwane supported this view, saying men were becoming frustrated after discovering they were raising children who were not biologically theirs.
“If paternity testing can be made compulsory, there would be fewer GBV cases because people would know the truth upfront,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zombodze Emuva MP Ntando Mkhonta questioned what measures the DPM’s Office was taking to address abuse and misuse of social welfare funds, urging stronger oversight to ensure beneficiaries receive full support.
