3 COPS SUSPENDED OVER KOMBI CONDUCTOR’S ASSAULT

MBABANE – The three police officers who were captured in a video that went viral allegedly insulting and assaulting a conductor have been suspended.

The police officers were suspended with immediate effect, pending disciplinary proceedings against them. This is according to a press statement that was issued yesterday by the National Commissioner of Police (NATCOM), William Tsitsibala Dlamini. The trio were seen in the video clip that went viral on social media the past month hurling insults at the conductor and further assaulting him. The victim was identified as Sipho Shiba, who was purportedly described as a bus conductor based in Manzini. It was allegedly believed that he was part of the protest action that happened during that day where public transport workers who were aggrieved by the fact that traffic police officers would not allow them to load passengers along their routes, took to the streets in protest.

Kicks

Shiba was seen being assaulted with kicks and fists as he tried to shield himself from the law enforcers’ blows. In the statement, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) said the investigations conducted have brought to the fore the necessity of having the three officers suspended pending disciplinary proceedings against them. “The police service strives to remain professional at all times and take a dim view of officers who abuse their authority which is meant to protect and safeguard the citizens of the Kingdom of Eswatini,” reads the statement in part. REPS has assured the nation of its total commitment in ensuring that police officers conduct themselves and discharge their duties in line with their oath of office, and individuals found going against the ethics and regulations of the organisation will be dealt with accordingly.

It is worth noting that such an action taken by the law enforcement agency to suspend their own, who are alleged to have conducted themselves improperly while on duty, is very rare. In normal circumstances, police officers were often suspended on cases that happened when they were off duty. Shiba, in an interview, said he appreciated to learn that the NATCOM was taking such action against the police officers. He said he was hoping to see an end to this case. He said this was a relief for him as at first he thought what befell him was done on purpose, but the NATCOM’s actions showed that it was an unfortunate incident. He said he was still working towards opening a case against the police officers, as he was still nursing his injuries. Shiba confirmed that his left arm and ears were injured during the scuffle with the law enforcers. He said this badly affected his daily routine because the hand that was injured was the one he used when working as he was left-handed.  

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