INYANDZALEYO - A CRY FOR HELP

After an extended period of relative peace, there seems to be a resurgence in incidents of police brutality against the public in the country. The authoritarian conduct exhibited by certain members of the county’s police force on members of the public must be unequivocally denounced. Disturbing footage of the alarming physical encounter between members of two of the country’s most respected professions - the police and teachers - gained widespread attention across social media platforms, online publications and the print media early last week.
The incident continues to spark debate among the public, with some individuals accusing the police of arrogance and political bias, suggesting they serve the interests of the Executive more than that of the people.

Others argue that a constructive and rational dialogue should have taken place between the conflicting parties, emphasising the need for reason over emotion in resolving disputes. I find myself agreeing with the latter perspective. Violence, regardless of its perceived justification, is never a viable solution. Past actions by the police have fostered deep-seated animosity among the public, which is detrimental to societal harmony. The relationship should not be adversarial; rather, both the police and the community must avoid behaviours that lead to conflict. Mature individuals should not resort to bullying tactics.

The police forcibly removed the executive members of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) from the ministry’s premises in a violent and humiliating manner, characterised by the imposing presence of officers resembling wrestlers. This incident unfolded as the union’s leaders attempted to engage with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) executives concerning the salary of SNAT President, Mbongwa Dlamini. The government recently charged Mbongwa with being absent from work for 109 days without the employer’s approval.

Argued

Dlamini argued that his absence was a result of his participation in activities for the association, which included attending federation meetings. The group of educators ultimately gathered to meet with officials at the offices of the TSC, the organisation responsible for hiring teachers and managing their welfare. However, their efforts were met with fierce resistance from police, showcasing a troubling trend in the treatment of those advocating for their rights.

During the incident, the tension was palpable as officers deployed shockingly aggressive tactics to disperse the gathered SNAT executive members. Disturbingly, the union’s secretary general (SG) was seen in the video being forcefully pulled by his clothes, and was heard shouting a cry for help ‘inyandzaleyo!’ in vernacular. He was unceremoniously dragged across the floor, and ejected from the building. The million dollar question is: Was the diabolical treatment justified? Was there no other way of solving the conflict other than humiliating a respectable, matured person of the calibre and stature of the SG?

This incident vividly reminded some of us of the treatment endured by former Member of Parliament (MP) Bacede Mabuza, who was arrested and imprisoned for more than two years before being handed a lengthy sentence along with his MP colleague Mthandeni Dube. Former MP Bacede Mabuza faced a humiliating breach of his dignity when police officers roughly manhandled him in an attempt to force him into their vehicle, an incident that took place in full view of bystanders. The police, who are meant to protect citizens, often act as enforcers of the State’s oppressive tactics, prioritising the government’s interests over the rights of the people they are charged with protecting.

Accountability

It raises questions about accountability and transparency within the policing system and urges citizens and global communities to scrutinise the actions of law enforcement agencies.
A week ago, another shocking case of police brutaliity was reported by the Eswatini Times daily newspaper. It was narrated by the publication that the police shot in the knee a 28-year-old man allegedly without any provocation. It is alleged that the police entered a bar around 10pm, demanded to see the bar’s licence. As the patrons moved out of the bar’s premises, the shooting victim recognised one of the police officers and went on to greet him.

Apparently, this act proved to be fatal. He was allegedly slapped and then shot in the knee, collapsing in the ground by an officer carrying a gun. As tensions continue to rise in the country concerning police brutaliity and violation of the rights of the people, the international community must remain vigilant and act as allies to those standing against injustice in Eswatini. Solidarity among educators and other public sectors can promote awareness and drive action against governmental oppression.

What are some potential factors that may contribute to police misconduct, leading to a widespread and hostile public animosity towards law enforcement? Structural factors, include a lack of effective accountability and oversight systems, training programmes that may focus more on the use of force than on de-escalation techniques; departmental cultures that often value authority over community engagement, and policies that fail to sufficiently tackle issues of bias or excessive use of force.

Psychological

Individual and psychological level: Factors such as stress and trauma from frequent exposure to high-risk situations; implicit biases that influence quick decision-making;  group dynamics that may inhibit the reporting of misconduct and the psychological impacts of holding authority and power play significant roles. Too much unchecked power; This is detrimental and very intoxicating, often leading those who possess it to exploit their authority, particularly at the expense of the vulnerable. This dynamic is not merely a byproduct of individual character flaws, but rather a systemic issue that permeates various institutions, with law enforcement being a particularly glaring example.

(Recall the George Floyd ‘I can’t breathe’ incident which went viral globally after he was deprived breathing by a police officer and subsequently died?) When individuals are granted significant power, especially in the form of authority over others, there is a risk that they may begin to view themselves as above the law or as untouchable. This sense of invincibility can foster a culture where misconduct becomes not just possible, but, in some cases, expected.

In relation to law enforcement agencies, this tendency is crucial to understanding the problem of police negligence. Officers are frequently put in stressful situations that require them to make decisions in seconds. The power they hold can alter the reality as they see it. Instead of being the ones to aid and assist the community, some police officers may assume the self-entitled role of a supreme judge, thus performing acts that jeopardise rather than assist the situation. (The shooting of the 28-year-old man is the classic case of playing judge on the spot).

This poses serious issues when dealing with already marginalised members of the society who, because of socio economic factors, are already disadvantaged. Additionally, this problem can be made worse by some of the architectural features of police departments. A built-in environment that favours loyalty and silence can set a stage for deliberate indiscipline as officers are not penalised for failing to meet laid down standards.

The power police officers wield is suspiciously accompanied by some kind of unwritten code that encourages reckless activity, making it impossible to get the situation treated. In an environment when there are no rules and regulations that confine the exercise of power, the rates of abuse of authority at which it is experienced can be absolutely startling.
A strong and respectful relationship between law enforcement agencies and the community is essential and should be consistently fostered.

The public often plays a crucial role as informants, assisting the police in identifying and apprehending suspects.  It is detrimental for law enforcement to regard the community with disdain, leading to inhumane treatment of suspects through emotional and physical abuse in attempts to secure confessions, or engaging in actions that contravene constitutional rights.
Any possibility of correcting police misconduct?

Misconduct

Yes, there is. Correcting police misconduct is indeed feasible, contingent upon the presence of a political will. The relevant ministry overseeing the police must take decisive action, clearly communicating expectations to department heads and instilling in officers the necessity of treating all individuals with respect and avoiding use of excessive force in inappropriate circumstances.

Below are some of the remedial actions that can help reduce police misconduct:

1. Reforms at departmental level:
- Institute full de-escalation training,
enhancing accountability with body cameras and civilian review boards

2. Reviewing use-of-force policies to focus on proportionality
- Establishing early-warning systems to flag officers that may be showing troubling patterns

3. Community-oriented solutions:
- Improving police-community relations
- Community policing programmes
- Establishing alternative response teams for mental health calls
- Being more transparent in how police run and investigate misconduct

4. Policy changes:
- Ending qualified immunity
- Creating independent investigation protocols or establish an entity modelled to the South African  Independent Police investigation Department (IPID) which can investigate use-of-excessive force and other misconduct incidents.
- Reforming qualified immunity
- Establishing independent investigation processes for use-of-force incidents
- Creating national standards for police training and conduct
- Implementing data collection requirements to track incidents

It is imperative to understand that the deep repercussions of this abuse of power by the police are profound. Victims of police misconduct are left to navigate not only physical damage but psychological trauma and, the seeds of a profound distrust - and hatred. This is exactly what I sometimes experience after the excruciating, hours-long torture ordeal a while back I endured at the hands of the police . Fortunately, I know there are good, ethical officers (some of them my relatives and friends) out there who should not be painted with the same brush as the rogue ones.

In conclusion, the recent incident involving some members of the police force against the executive of the SNAT serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by educators in Eswatini. A collective effort is needed to advocate for their rights, ensuring that they can operate freely without fear of repression. The well-being of the education system depends on the ability of its teachers to voice their concerns and advocate for fair treatment and their rightful status within society. The ripple effects of this struggle will resonate through generations of students, emphasising the urgent need for change.

Cooperative

Finally, a strong and cooperative relationship between the police and the public is essential, as both parties rely on each other for safety and crime prevention. Fostering mutual understanding can enhance community safety and trust. Lest I forget, It would be a great disservice to both myself and the elderly in our nation to overlook their profound dissatisfaction with what they perceive as an inadequate, laughable elderly grants’ financial increase. The recent 20 per cent raise granted to seniors, amounting to a mere E100, is insufficient to alleviate the burdens imposed by the current economic challenges that affect all citizens.

The government’s apparent disregard for its senior citizens, who have significantly contributed to the establishment of our nation, is troubling. The increase from E500 to E600 reflects a lack of generosity and recognition of their loyalty to a system that may not always serve their interests. It is essential for the government to acknowledge the importance of honouring and compensating the elderly appropriately, as emphasised in the biblical Commandment to respect one’s parents.

I recognise that once the government has made a decision, it is often unyielding.  However, I have noted some discussions within the legislative body regarding this increase. If they are genuinely committed to representing the electorate, I implore them to take meaningful action to address the plight of the elderly. Parliament must vigorously oppose the meagre increase if it has the welfare of the people at heart - period.
Peace! Shalom!

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