Mbabane – In a space of about six months, numerous break-in instances in Mbabane’s business establishments and suburbs have been reported by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), summing up a potential crime wave.
At the Mbabane Industrial Site, two occurrences have been reported. In the first instance, on June 10, a Mahwalala shop owner discovered that his establishment had been broken into, leading to the theft of E47,035 worth of merchandise and E7,578 in cash.
Secondly, a store owner staying at Mona Flats reported a break-in on June 19, 2026, in which thieves took E20,600 in cash and an E5,000 server. 
One other incident occurred from the outskirts of the Mbabane CBD in Mahwalala Zone 2. In this one, on June 24, 2026, an 18-year-old male suspect from Nkwalini was arrested following a break-in in a storeroom, stealing items worth E24,378. The police reported that all items were subsequently recovered.
More of similar cases occurred but in residential areas of Mahwalala, Lobamba and Mnyamatsini with at least one fatality. In 2025, Eswatini recorded a 11 percent drop in house break-in and theft cases, nationwide.
Recently, a 44-year-old woman of Makholokholo reported that her residence was broken into on July 8, 2026 by an unknown intruder. The suspect got through a window at around 03:00 hours, stealing household goods valued at E36,200.
The Lobamba police reported a case of theft on the same date at Mukela Township where the complainant said at around 1317 hours, she discovered that her house was broken into through the window. Property valued at E38 000 was missing.
On July 2, 2026, Mbabane police reported that they shot a male suspect in the left arm but he succumbed to the wound in hospital while receiving medical care.
On July 1, a report from Mnyamatsini was made whereby a 42 year old complainant was attacked by two unidentified assailants, stealing his Mercedes-Benz C200 valued at E260 000, E8000-cell phone and cash amounting to E8000, withdrawn from his bank account.
Meanwhile, an unfortunate incident occurred in Nkoyoyo whereby a E5.5 million three-bedroom house belonging to a 60-year old man was gutted by fire.
A series of break-ins in suburban areas was recorded around Woodlands and Dalrich East between January and March 2026, the police had said.
On January 11, 2026, two reports came that at Woodlands, a resident who just returned from church had her Dell and HP laptops worth E51,000 stolen while the second one occurred at Dalrich East where a residence’s door was broken to gain entry while the owner had attended a funeral. E34,000 worth of items, including laptops, phones, and a soundbar were stolen.
Indali Supermarket in Sidvwashini reported that on February 28, 2026, it was broken into through the roof where suspects got away with E120,000 in cash, cigarettes and merchandise valued at E30,000.
In March 2026, police launched a manhunt for Neliswa Mbutfo Mapitsane Malaza after he reportedly skipped jail. He is tied to at least 30 separate house break-ins. In his trail of destruction, he had been found with electronic goods reportedly stolen in Thembelihle, Dalriach, Beverly Hills, and Fonteyn.
In May 2026, Malaza was tied to an office break-in where he stole a computer monitor, head-set and a Nokia cellphone worth E27 900-00.
Police continue to request for information to gather community tips. The Mbabane police station precinct contact numbers are:
- (+268) 2404 2221
- Emergency Toll-Free Lines: 999 or 9999
- National Emergency Network: 112
