barnabas declares war on criminals

Premier Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini said following the murder of Constable Daniel Jabulani Matsenjwa on Saturday afternoon, police will review their manner of operations to include the application of overwhelming force when faced with criminals.

In fact, the head of government said using overwhelming force would now be the rule of thumb for security forces.

The PM spoke these words during a press conference at Cabinet offices where he announced that three suspects had been arrested for Matsenjwa’s murder.

The arrested are a 20-year-old pupil of Nhlanganisweni High School, 22-year-old Andile Simelane of Siteki and 23-year-old Kwanele Mncina of Mpuluzi. A fourth suspect, identified as Skelem Sithole of Mahwalala, is still on the run.

The suspects were arrested by the Lukhozi Serious Crimes Unit jointly with the Mbabane Criminal Investigations Department.

"The life of a police officer is more important than that of a criminal, it is, therefore, important that when a situation arises where a police officer’s life is at risk from a criminal, the officer must survive rather than the criminal," the PM said.

The PM sternly said the killing of the traffic police officer had pushed the police too far which was why drastic measures have to be adopted.

"We are still numb with shock and anguish, and are at a loss for words to condemn this grisly act that takes the country back to the dark ages, as the blood thirsty villains did not just kill a police officer; they went far!" the PM said.

He further said: "They actually thumbed their noses at law enforcement, laughed in the face of justice and mocked society’s collective trust and respect for police officers who serve as the thin line between order and anarchy and between right and wrong."

The premier said when criminals killed police officers, that was not only a blow in the fight against crime but also put the concerned families "through the excruciating heartbreak of losing their loved ones".

The PM said government would take care of the deceased Constable Matsenjwa’s funeral expenses and other applicable terminal benefits.

"Also government is in the process of formally introducing an insurance cover for the disciplined forces, which will also cover this tragic loss," the PM added.