BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – As questions continue to circulate on social media about when the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) will recruit new officers, police are warning emaSwati not to fall victim to scammers who are exploiting job seekers by falsely promising employment opportunities.
National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango issued the warning during a media briefing at Police Headquarters on June 2, 2026, saying fraudsters are taking advantage of the growing public interest in police recruitment to deceive unsuspecting job seekers.
The warning follows widespread discussions on social media platforms where members of the public have been asking when REPS will open applications for new recruits. The matter has also featured in parliamentary budget debates, through the Prime Minister’s Office and in various public forums where unemployment and job opportunities remain a key concern.
Public interest in police recruitment has further intensified after the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) launched its nationwide recruitment exercise across the country’s 59 Tinkhundla centres, prompting many emaSwati to question when a similar exercise will be conducted by the police service.
Masango said scammers are exploiting this situation by posing as police officials and contacting members of the public with false promises of employment or financial rewards.
He warned that some fraudsters claim to be calling from Police Headquarters or specialised units such as Cybercrime, using convincing tactics to appear legitimate and mislead job seekers.
“The public must be very careful. Recruitment will be communicated through the proper and official channels,” said Masango.
The National Commissioner stressed that REPS does not recruit people through phone calls, social media messages or individuals claiming to represent the organisation.
He further cautioned emaSwati not to share personal information, banking details or money with anyone promising jobs or access to government benefits.
To demonstrate how sophisticated the scams have become, Masango revealed that he had nearly fallen victim on three separate occasions.
In one incident, he received a call informing him that he had been allocated E1 500 for farming from Bucopho as a token of appreciation for voting for a during elections.
The callers told him the money was ready and guided him step-by-step on how to access or transfer it.
Masango said he became suspicious because they claimed the funds would be deposited into a Swaziland Building Society account, despite the fact that he does not bank with that institution.
In another incident, fraudsters contacted him claiming there was a job opportunity available at Happy Valley and that he had previously sought assistance in securing employment for his son.
He said the scammers attempted to sound convincing by using personal details, but their claims collapsed when they incorrectly referred to his surname.
“I have almost been scammed three times,” he said.
Masango urged emaSwati to verify all information through official REPS communication channels and to report any suspected scams to the nearest police station.
He reiterated that whenever the Royal Eswatini Police Service intends to recruit, the public will be informed through official and recognised platforms only.
“We will announce recruitment through the proper channels whenever there is recruitment,” he said.
The National Commissioner further warned that scammers are likely to continue targeting job seekers who are eager for employment opportunities, urging the public to remain vigilant and cautious.
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