BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by His Majesty King Mswati III and Rwandan President Paul Kagame is now producing tangible benefits for the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).
These was said by National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango during a media briefing on June 2, 2026, where he was giving feedback on his participation in the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Rwanda National Police and the Special Forces Graduation Ceremony held in Kigali, Rwanda
The bilateral agreement, was signed in August 2024, had strengthened cooperation between the Royal Eswatini Police Service and the Rwanda National Police, particularly in the areas of specialised training, information sharing and professional policing development.
“The MoU signed by His Majesty King Mswati III has opened doors for valuable cooperation between our two police organisations. We are already seeing positive results from this partnership,” said Masango.
He explained that even before the formal signing of the MoU, Rwanda had been supporting Eswatini through policing training programmes.
Masango cited the example of Musa Magic Zwane, who pursued a policing degree programme in Rwanda and continues to make meaningful contributions to the Royal Eswatini Police Service.
He revealed that another senior superintendent is currently undertaking a similar degree programme in Rwanda and is expected to complete his studies this month.
“I had an opportunity to meet with him and discuss the progress he has made. He indicated that the programme has broadened his perspective and enhanced his professional understanding of modern policing,” said Masango.
The Commissioner further disclosed that another officer is scheduled to travel to Rwanda in July to pursue further professional training under the ongoing partnership.
Masango said the collaboration has also enabled Eswatini to share its own policing expertise with Rwanda.
He noted that during a previous Police Day celebration, the Inspector General of the Rwanda National Police expressed admiration for Eswatini’s motorcycle policing skills, particularly the advanced riding displays showcased during national police events.
As a result, five REPS instructors were invited to Rwanda, where they spent three months training their counterparts in tactical motorcycle defensive riding.
“The graduation ceremony featured the first batch of officers trained under this programme. It was encouraging to witness the skills transfer and see the impact our officers have made,” he said.
Masango said modern policing increasingly requires collaboration among nations, especially as criminal activities continue to transcend national borders.
He referenced contemporary policing theories that promote problem-oriented policing and collective approaches to addressing crime and security challenges.
“Crime no longer has boundaries. Criminals can commit offences in one country and move to another. We are also seeing growing challenges involving foreign nationals engaged in illegal activities, including unlawful gambling operations,” he said.
The National Commissioner stressed that the Royal Eswatini Police Service remains committed to strengthening partnerships beyond the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in pursuit of safer communities and more effective policing.
He added that the skills, knowledge and professional networks developed through the Rwanda partnership would contribute significantly to improving service delivery within the police service.
Masango expressed gratitude for the opportunities created through the bilateral agreement, saying officers were benefitting directly from specialised training and international exposure.
“We remain committed to ensuring that the partnership initiated by His Majesty King Mswati III translates into better policing services and enhanced security for the people of Eswatini,” he said.
The National Commissioner’s delegation to Rwanda includes Senior Assistant Commissioner Raphael Maseko, Director of Traffic and Transport Management, Assistant Superintendent Samuel Manyatsi, Sergeant Tsepo Ngwenya and Constable Michael Gama.
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(Courtesy Pic)
