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NO MORE RESTRAINT FROM COPS, SAYS NATCOM

21/01/2023 09:15:00 Thokozani Mazibuko

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MATSAPHA – National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsitsibala Dlamini says the year 2022 was really not a good year in the history of the REPS.

This was during the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) annual prayer day held yesterday, at the police academy in Matsapha where Prime Minister (PM), Cleopas Sipho Dlamini was in attendance. The NATCOM in his more than 15-minute speech first recognised the presence of the PM who is also the line minister for the REPS. Dlamini reported that 11 cops had been assassinated by unknown people, while 19 had died due to natural causes.
The NATCOM further highlighted that 272 people had been killed by other people in the country of Eswatini.

Killling

“I must state that there has been a lot of killing in Eswatini and it happened in beer halls and most significantly, women are the ones who have topped the statistics. I would like to urge men out there to learn to love their wives and stop resorting to violence to solve arguments,” advised the NATCOM.
The NATCOM highlighted that 2022 was not a good year in the history of the police service. “The year 2022 was a very bad year, but then that is why we are here to pray, and I will be short as the temperatures are very high today. We trust that God will be on our side this year.

“I was engulfed with fear to the extent that I was even afraid to answer my phone due to the horrible news of State security force members being assassinated. The sad fact that we had to deal with was the children who became fatherless or motherless in a split second, was very disheartening,” said the NATCOM. It is worth noting that such gatherings in the police service began way back in 1995 and according to the NATCOM, prayer has become the epitome of the department. “Our theme this year is; ‘Those who put their trust in God, will never be disappointed,’ while our prayer was in progression we realised that the year 2022 is not a year to be remembered,” opined Dlamini.

Lost

The NATCOM encouraged the police service officers to remain strong and brave like they did the past year. He highlighted how he noted that they (REPS) did not throw in the towel, but kept on exercising restraint in the face of extreme provocation. “However, the police department had to endure the loss of 11 officers, who had been assassinated by ruthless killers. That is why it is very important to recognise your prayers as Christians, as these numbers could have been huge. Though we cannot say we have lost a few officers as losing one colleague is very devastating, to the department and also to the children who have been left fatherless or motherless,” NATCOM said.

“I must point it out that as REPS, we have been provided with weapons to use during challenging and difficult times, however, we realised that if we kept practicing restraint and hoping, the situation would be resolved and we took a decision to bring down the perpetrators in the killing of the security officers (akushaywe labo lokhandza kutsi ngabo mbamba),” said the NATCOM.

Furthermore, the NATCOM wished the new police recruits who are in their second week into training, well in their new journey. “I should advise you that it is only because of prayer, we are all still standing here and very soon I will personally come and have a chat with you,” promised Dlamini. The Annual Prayer event was colourful as several gospel music renditions from the praise team, REPS Male Voice and the Police Gospel Messengers were there to lift the spirits.

The Premier arrived in the entourage of the NATCOM, Commissioner General of His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), Phindile Lomakhosini Dlamini, together with the Army Commander’s representative, Lieutenant General Tsembeni Magongo, whose position is also Deputy Army Commander. Also notable among the guests was the former NATCOM, Senator Isaac Magagula.