BY MBONO MDLULI
MATSAPHA – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has commended the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) for their success in busting the ‘facata’ scam.
Dlamini praised the police today, January 23, 2025, during the opening of the Senior Police Officers and Senior Civilian Support Staff Conference at the Matsapha Police Academy. The prime minister expressed confidence that more suspects would be apprehended and held accountable for these criminal activities, which primarily targeted vulnerable groups such as the elderly.
“It is indeed remarkable that the Police Service has made tremendous strides in dismantling the extensive and highly sophisticated ‘facata’ syndicate that preys on unsuspecting emaSwati, particularly the elderly, defrauding them of their hard-earned money with impunity. We hope and believe that more suspects will continue to be apprehended as investigations intensify,” said Dlamini.
Speaking about the same issue at the event, Police National Commissioner (NatCom) Vusi Manoma Masango reported that 42 suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime. Masango attributed these breakthroughs to the collaborative efforts of various community members working closely with the police.
“Through collaboration with different sectors of society, the police were able to dismantle the facata syndicate, which had been defrauding emaSwati of their hard-earned money. To date, the total number of suspects arrested in connection with this phenomenon stands at 42,” Masango stated.
In his remarks, Dlamini also lauded the police for using the conference to reflect on organizational progress and performance, identifying areas of special focus, and formulating relevant strategies for the coming year. “This is essential for both private enterprises and public service institutions to improve service delivery, as critical self-analysis is a fundamental aspect of good corporate governance worldwide,” he remarked.
The prime minister highlighted that, during his tenure, REPS had performed impressively in fulfilling its mandate of protecting the nation from various safety and security challenges. “This is evident from available statistics, which show that the Police Service significantly reduced homicides and fatal road accidents in 2024,” he said.
Dlamini reminded the police of their duty to ensure the safety and security of the country’s citizens and businesses, fostering an environment free from crime that promotes vibrant and profitable economic activities. He emphasized that this would enhance Eswatini’s attractiveness as a trading partner and serve as a catalyst for the government’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment, ultimately reducing unemployment and contributing positively to the country’s socio-economic development.
