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Serial killings stunned Swaziland
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THE murder in Swaziland of at least 28 people -- mostly women -- in a spate of suspected serial killings has rattled the sense of well-being in the sleepy mountain kingdom, known for its low crime rate and friendly people.
Stunned residents are blaming everything from religious excess to a sexist culture for the gruesome killings in the remote southeast which have forced Swaziland's one million residents to re-examine the national psyche.
Police uncovered 28 decomposed bodies, mostly of women, in a commercial forest at Malkerns, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the capital in an operation that lasted several weeks and ended on Wednesday.
Law officials believe the murders were carried out over a period of 10 months.
They say many of the victims appeared to have been sexually abused before being killed. Most of the bodies were naked and used condoms were found near the shallow graves where they were buried.
Residents of the area told journalists the Usuthu Pulp Forest where the bodies were found was a popular sex spot.
The first three of the 28 corpses were uncovered only days after police shot and killed a suspected serial killer who had been linked to six other corpses unearthed in another part of the country earlier. It has not been established whether that man, Bongani Vilakati, was responsible for the subsequent killings.
Police have offered a 50,000-emalengeni (6,000-dollar) reward -- many years of income for most Swazis -- for information leading to the arrest of the killer or killers and have reported some progress in their investigations.
However, apprehensive residents have urged the government to seek international help -- possibly from South Africa and Britain -- to investigate the crimes.
"We have reason to applaud the police for the brilliant work they have done so far, but, because we do have no experience in dealing with such matters, we need experts to help us," said Human Rights Association of Swaziland secretary general Joshua Mzizi.
South Africa, which has police officers who specialize in investigating serial killings, is ready to help its tiny neighbour.
Swaziland boasts of one of the lowest crime rates on the African continent. Its relative stability is one of its main attractions for tourists and investors alike.(SD-Agencies)
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