NATCOM ANNOUNCES MAJOR SHAKE-UP AT REPS

MBABANE – The National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, has announced a major shake-up of his troops.
Masango announced the transfer of 233 officers, who hold various ranks in the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). The NATCOM said the postings and transfers were announced for implementation before schools open for the 2025 schools calendar. He said: “Where administrative and operations convenience allow, movements may commence with immediate effect.”
The postings by the NATCOM shall see some of the senior officers being redeployed, while others have been recalled abroad to resume senior duties locally.

Transfers

The transfers and postings shall see the Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Zandile Mnisi, being transferred from being Lubombo Regional Commissioner to being deployed in Botswana as Head of Secretariat Police Component in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). On the other hand, it shall see Superintendent Martin Mbingo being recalled from Foreign Service in New York, to assume the position of Senior Government Security Officer. Also, among those being transferred shall be Senior Superintendent Frank Hurube, assuming the position of SADC liaison officer at the Police Headquarters, while popular Mbabane law enforcer Sergeant Bongani Maziya, shall depart from the Mbabane General Duty to assume the position of Mbabane – Hilltop Post Commander.

he transfers and postings shall see 126 constables, which is the entry level position within REPS, being deployed to various police stations in the four regions. Among the constables, some have been afforded the opportunity to reside at their homesteads. The second highest number of transfers was that of sergeants, as 61 were moved from various police stations, while the third highest number of postings was for assistant superintendents. At least 12 of them were moved across the country, while 10 assistant inspectors were transferred.
There was only one senior assistant commissioner of police who was listed in the postings, while seven senior superintendents were also redeployed in the shake-up by Masango. The NATCOM also posted and transferred seven officers holding the rank of senior superintendent.

Efficiency

The move, according to insiders, is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and bolstering security efforts across the country. They claimed that the changes are expected to revitalise the police service and optimise resource allocation. They claimed that by deploying experienced officers to strategic positions, REPS aims to improve service delivery and combat crime effectively. While the specific reasons for the reshuffle have not been publicly disclosed, the sources expressed belief that REPS is seeking to address operational challenges, enhance coordination among different units and foster a dynamic and responsive police service.It is worth noting that upon being appointed NATCOM, Masango said: “This is not a one-man show; we need a collective effort and united front to successfully fight crime.”

Changes

This was immediately after being appointed by His Majesty King Mswati III on July 6, 2024, at the Matsapha Police College and four months in office, Masango has brought about changes. When assuming the position of NATCOM, Masango emphasised the need for a collective effort from the executive of the police service, to the junior officers. He said if they were a united front, they would be successful in the fight against crime. He also, at the time, urged all stakeholders, including the media, to support the police service with positive feedback, stressing that: “Do not focus on criticising us, but help us with information that will make our work easier and efficiently.”

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