BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini is working on improving the conditions of service of police officers in the country, including their salaries.
This transpired today (Wednesday, August 21, 2024) when the premier toured different police stations around the country. The aim of the tour was to assess the working conditions of the law enforcers, which are deteriorating in some police stations.
Dlamini, when touring the police establishments, was accompanied, among other people, by senior Government officials and senior police officials, including Police National Commissioner Vusi Manoma Masango. Others who were present included Members of Parliament (MPs), who are members of the Portfolio Committee, led by Mtfongwaneni MP Nathi ‘Mdockies’ Hlophe, who is the chairperson of the committee.
The tour commenced at the Matsapha Police Academy Motor Vehicle Workshop, followed by a visit to the Malkerns Police Station, which had just been refurbished for E7 million, with the help of Microprojects. The PM also inspected the deteriorating conditions at the Mbabane New Police Camp, where it was found that the police were living under terrible conditions. The delegation further visited the Police Stores and Tailoring Service, the Photography and Printing Unit, and concluded at the Police Headquarters, which are facilities situated in Mbabane.
It transpired during the tour that the police officers were living under terrible conditions and the PM promised that Government would work around the clock to ensure that the conditions were improved. MP Hlophe commended the police officers for always working with dedication, despite that they were subjected to challenging conditions. He said what was also reported in Parliament, according to Hlophe, was that the Ministry of Health made it clear that some of the houses in which the police lived were not fit for human occupation, as they posed a health hazard.
Dlamini also pleaded with the police to always guard against corruption when doing their job. He told the police that a corruption-free Eswatini would flourish and improve in economic terms. That would also make it easy for Eswatini to solve the problems it currently had. He also praised the police for taking care of tourists when they were in the country, making sure that they were safe at all times.
NatCom Masango praised the prime minister for taking his time to assess the police stations and further informed him that there were many other police stations, including police posts, that needed to be improved. He said Lavumisa and Lomahasha Police Posts were some of those that needed urgent attention. He said such facilities provided services because even tourists used them and these facilities were also used by other Government departments.
Masango also mentioned that there was a shortage of vehicles within the REPS. He further expressed hope that the premier’s visit would make a difference.
