TIME POLICE RESPECT SANCTITY OF LIFE!

BEFORE addressing the topic for the day, I would like to comment on the two Cabinet ministers.  The Minister for Finance, Neal Rijkenberg has announced that government has prioritised paying owed contractors.  This will indeed bring much relief to businesses who struggle to meet their obligations.  
The other minister is Minister for Education and Training Owen Nxumalo, who is demanding answers to those schools that have performed dismally in external examination. We all know that the Ministry of Education has employed qualified school head teachers and teachers. Why are these schools failing to perform? The minister must deploy a team to assess the situation so that the root cause of the problem is identified and solutions are found.  It is the future of the children that is at stake.
Back to the topic of the day. 

The newspapers reported a sad story, where it was alleged that Gift Nkosingphile Mabuza was tortured to death by police on Christmas Day, which is a day the world commemorates the God’s gift to mankind. It is a day in which families prepare special meals for families to enjoy, yet a man lost his life under dubious circumstances.  It is alleged that police stated that he was resisting arrest. Is that justification for Mabuza to lose his life?

What does the Police Act say about policing in Eswatini?

According to the Police Act of 2018: Functions of the Police Service. 9. (1): The Police Service shall be employed in and throughout the Kingdom of Eswatini 24/7 days a week to — (a) protect life and property; (b) prevent, investigate and detect crime;  collect and collate intelligence likely to affect public peace and the security of the State; (d) render assistance to members of the public where possible or appropriate including mediation and counselling in domestic violence and other matters; (e) repress internal disturbances; (f) maintain security, peace and public tranquility; (g) apprehend offenders and bring or cause offenders to be brought to justice; (h) duly enforce all laws of Eswatini as empowered by this Act and such other laws; (I) assist in relief and humanitarian efforts, as may be possible or authorised; (j) generally preserve the peace, order and maintain law and order in and throughout Eswatini and perform any other related duties; and (k) execute all lawful orders

Guiding principles and values of the Police Service

10. (1) A member of the Police Service shall at all times serve the community and protect all persons against illegal acts, consistent with the high degree of responsibility required by their occupation or profession.
 (2) In the performance of their duties, members of the Police Service shall respect and protect human dignity, maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons. (3) A member of the Police Service may not inflict, instigate or tolerate any act of torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, nor may any member of the Police Service invoke superior orders or exceptional circumstances as a justification for torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. (4) A member of the Police Service shall not commit any act of corruption and shall oppose and combat all forms of corruption and corrupt practices and to achieve such objectives, they may join or assist other agencies set-up to fight corruption and such other related corrupt practices.(5) Every member of the Police Service shall remain loyal to the Police Service and shall, provide police service as an essential service.

My concern

While I may not wish to dwell on the details of this case, I would like to express deep concern that emaSwati continue to lose their lives in the hands of those who should protect them.  We are not told that Mabuza was armed and police lives were in danger, hence the need to use force.  Why was a man alleged to have been drunk tortured in such a manner that he lost his life? Is it because the security forces are not held accountable in Eswatini, as no police officer, as far as I can remember, has ever received harsh sanctions such as losing his job or being sententenced by courts for such acts.  The institution holds prayer services from time-to-time, where it seeks God to help guide members as they carry out their duties. The institutions have many police officers who claim to be saved by the Blood of Christ. It is forbidden in the Bible to take someone’s life, because life is God’s precious gift and no one, including State institutions, should be allowed to take people’s lives.  Hence, many countries have abolished the death penalty. May the minister of the Police and the commissioner general introduce an independent investigation unit. LiSwati lives matter!

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