Times Of Swaziland: RANDOM COUNTRYWIDE RAIDS TO CURB CRIME COMING – MINISTER

RANDOM COUNTRYWIDE RAIDS TO CURB CRIME COMING – MINISTER
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Sifiso Dlamini  on 10/12/2023 16:02:00


MBABANE – Random countrywide raids, 24 hour roadblocks could be a norm in the
near future.
This may well be the new normal should the aspirations of the new Minister of
Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prince Simelane come to fruition. Presenting
an idea on how to curb corruption and crime in the country, the minister
proposed embarking on random raids countrywide, through a joint venture by the
country’s security forces. He also envisaged that mounting roadblocks in
various strategic areas around the country day and night would go a long way
towards cleaning the country’s streets and ridding it of crime. The minister
advocated for sweeping operations meant to ensure peace and stability and a
crime free country.  He said this would have a positive contribution towards
removing the now abundant illegal firearms from the hands of criminals.
The minister revealed that such security tactics have been adopted by other
countries, including some in the SADC region, yielding measurable success in
reducing crime levels. He used Lesotho as an example, where he stated that the
national army took over security duties from the police and conducted patrols
and roadblock checks. He clarified that, this however, was doable through
collaborative work by all security forces in a joint venture. However in order
to achieve his dream for the country, the minister echoed his submission during
the parliamentarians courtesy call to His Majesty King Mswati III at Mandvulo
Grand Hall, where he proposed the increase in number of security force
personnel. This was where members of the 12th Parliament introduced themselves
to the King and made their presentation on how they believed the country could
move forward and fulfill His Majesty’s vision to end corruption, address the
poverty crisis and unemployment, as well as economic growth.
increase of security forces
While making his submissions the minister pleaded with His Majesty and
government to consider increasing the number of security forces personnel to
provide a fence or shield around the country, to maintain peace and order.
Adding, the minister said this was essential because no investor would be
interested in investing in an unstable country where businesses, government
structures, equipment and tinkhundla centres were burnt down and vandalised at
any given time. The minister suggested that the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force
(UEDF) should be increased to 15 000, Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) to 12
000, His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) to 10 000. The minister also
suggested increasing the Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services
(ENFRES)  personnel, which he also pleaded that they should be recognised as
security forces to 5 000.
During an interview with the Times Sunday, Minister Prince Simelane asserted
that his current ministry was also an important fence or shield for the country,
as it was mandated to enforce the law through prosecuting cases working together
with the other law enforcement agencies. He assured that during his tenure in
office, he would do the best he could to ensure justice prevailed and was fair
to all. He further pointed out that increasing the number of security forces
personnel alone, would not be practical, as there was also a need to ensure that
they were provided with all the working tools and equipment they required.
“For this to be a success, government has to ensure that the security forces
are well-equipped, unlike in previous situations where there was a shortage of
vehicles and fuel for police officers resulting in them being unable to promptly
attend to calls,” said the minister. Simelane has urged the Correctional
Services which falls under his portfolio to engage the REPS and UEDF to embark
on periodic random sweeping exercises, where they would conduct raids across all
four regions in the country and be proactive in preventing crime.
Monthly raids
He suggested that these raids should be conducted once a month and should not be
isolated to urban or peri-urban areas, but countrywide in all four regions
including townships and rural areas. “Currently, crime is on the rise in the
country and there are a lot of illegal firearms circulating and being used to
commit heinous crimes as well as drug smuggling. I believe that such raids would
be important in sweeping the country and curbing crime,” he said. The minister
further called for 24-hour patrols across the country and the mounting of
roadblocks even at night no matter the weather conditions to ensure safety and
peace in the country while reducing crime. “If we can manage to do this as a
country, it will go a long way in ensuring service delivery and allowing
emaSwati to rest easy while knowing they and their assets are protected,” he
said. The minister also proposed that all tinkhundla centres across the country
should be guarded day and night as well as all schools and government structures
such as ministerial buildings, court houses as part of what he themed efficient
service delivery.