Crime

MBABANE – Investigations into the illegal online gambling that led to the arrest of about 150 foreign nationals have taken an international dimension.

The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is set to meet Brazilian investigators over the matter. National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango confirmed the development yesterday. He said local investigators would engage their Brazilian counterparts as part of efforts to dismantle what authorities believe is a sophisticated transnational criminal network operating across several countries.

The meeting follows discussions between Masango and a Brazilian police commissioner and comes as investigations continue into a sprawling illegal online gambling operation that police have described as one of the most complex criminal enterprises uncovered in the country in recent years.

Masango said the investigations were aimed at determining the next course of action following the arrest of foreign nationals from Brazil, Mainland China, the Republic of China on Taiwan, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam and India, among other countries.

“We will be meeting our counterparts from Brazil in South Africa this week as part of ongoing investigations. Illegal gambling is a demon affecting many countries and we will not rest until we crush it,” said Masango.

The national commissioner said the investigations could result in further arrests depending on evidence gathered through international cooperation.

The latest development comes amid reports that international law enforcement agencies, including Interpol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have been roped into the investigations.

Earlier reports revealed that some of the accused persons arrested in Eswatini were already on Interpol’s red list and had allegedly been linked to similar criminal activities in other jurisdictions.

Investigators have been trying to establish how some of the accused persons entered Eswatini and whether the country was deliberately selected as a base for international online criminal operations.

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Beware of fake police recruitment agents - NATCOM

MBABANE – National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango has warned members of the public against falling prey to fraudsters who exploit people seeking employment in the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).

Masango issued the warning when responding to questions about when the police service would next recruit officers.

He said there was currently no fixed timeframe for recruitment as the process depends on the availability of funds and approval from government.

“At the moment, there is no set timeframe for recruitment into the police service. Recruitment is dependent on the available budget and a waiver from Cabinet, which has not yet been granted,” said Masango.

The national commissioner explained that once government has approved recruitment, the police service will ensure that the public is informed through official communication channels.

He said the media and other recognised platforms would be used to announce the recruitment process and provide details on the requirements and procedures to be followed by applicants.

Masango said it was difficult at this stage to indicate exactly when recruitment would take place.

“It could be this year or next year, depending on the direction we receive from government,” he said.

He assured aspiring police officers that all relevant information will be made available once recruitment has been approved.

Masango said official guidelines and procedures would be communicated publicly to ensure that prospective recruits have access to accurate information.

The police commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid individuals who claim to have influence over the recruitment process.

He warned that scammers, commonly known as ‘bofacata’, often take advantage of people who are eager to secure employment opportunities.

Masango said such individuals frequently demand money from unsuspecting members of the public while falsely claiming they could facilitate recruitment into the police service.

*Full article available on Pressreader*  

The National Commissioner of Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, said local investigators will be meeting their Brazilian counterparts in South Africa this week. (Pics: Sibusiso Shange)