PM SPEAKS OUT AGAINST UNFAIR PROMOTIONS

MATSAPHA – The premier has spoken out against unfair promotions and unequal opportunities within the police service, saying these demoralise staff and hinder the service’s ability to carry out its mission.

Prime Minister (PM) Russell Dlamini stressed the need for a culture of fairness and transparency, where everyone was given a fair chance to advance and contribute to the success of the organisation. He said this during the opening of the senior officers and senior civilian support staff members’ conference of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) at Matsapha Police Academy yesterday.

He also said corruption should be uprooted within the police service. “There should be no unfair promotions, and promotions should not be based on who you know, but only by qualifications,” he said, to the rapturous applause of the audience.

Whistleblowers

Dlamini further invited police officers, who had concerns regarding this issue, to visit his office as he said it was open to whistleblowers. He said his office aspired to create a motivating environment within the police service.
The PM said as crucial as it was to empower officers with knowledge and skills through studies, there should be alternating of opportunities among police officers and doing away with providing these opportunities to one and the same people. Likewise, he said this should be done away with among officers who went on international trips.
“Akungahambi labagangako nalabangati umsebenti,” he reiterated, loosely translated, ‘the corrupt and lazy should not be afforded opportunities to travel’.

The PM reiterated that the police service sought to address the strengthening of systems to ensure that officers were disciplined and adhered to the ethical code of conduct. “In my interactions with some police officers, I have had a feeling that there is somehow an encroaching degradation of standards, which is something you must work to resolve as soon as possible. As you address this, remember too that uplifting the morale and motivation of officers under your command is equally important,” he warned. The premier recommended that the police service should consider interventions that could be deployed to address the morale and motivation aspect of the police workforce.

Meanwhile, Dlamini said it was crucial for the rule of law to be applied even within the police service. He said any police officer who was found wanting should be arrested and face the long arm of the law. On another note, the premier highlighted that it was known that the police service had challenges in the shortage of vehicles.

Cars

He warned against the misuse of cars, adding that police officers should do away with the notion that government had unlimited resources. Dlamini shared that he still had his first car which he bought in 2001, which was still in good condition. He encouraged the law enforcers to take care of the vehicles, with the view that if they were damaged, they would not enable them to provide services to the people.

He revealed that there was a government official who was caught stealing fuel from one of the government vehicles.
The premier stated that the issue of the officer was being dealt with and would be addressed accordingly. Dlamini assured that government would procure police vehicles before the end of 2024.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: