NHLANGANO – Jobseekers braved cold weather, rain and thunderstorms, with some sleeping outside Nhlangano Police Station to secure early positions in the queue for police recruitment applications.
The aspiring recruits converged on the Shiselweni Regional Police Headquarters ahead of the November 4, 2026 deadline for submitting applications to join the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) as Constable II officers.
Some travelled from distant areas, including Lavumisa, Ngudzeni, Hlatikhulu and Gege, to deliver their application documents in person.
For 28-year-old Sifiso Shabangu, a self-employed bricklayer from Ngudzeni, the journey began at 7pm the previous evening (Sunday). He spent the night outside the police station and became the first applicant in the queue at 3:30am.
Shabangu, who was applying to join the police service for the first time, said he was motivated by the desire to help combat crime in his community, contribute to its development and secure employment.
Others who endured the harsh weather included 29-year-old Sizwe Dlamini from Matsanjeni and Machawe Gwebu from Magele. They arrived amid heavy rain and thunderstorms and spent the night at the facility.
The two expressed appreciation to police officers on duty for allowing them to shelter at the station, saying this enabled them to remain close to the recruitment venue and secure early positions in the queue.
However, arriving early did not necessarily guarantee a favourable position for everyone.
At 5:45am, unemployed 30-year-old Nompilo Hleta of Jabulani arrived at the headquarters. When she joined the queue at 6am, she was already number 100.
Hleta said this was her fourth attempt to secure employment with the police service. She explained that she needed a stable source of income after failing to find alternative employment.
She also said joining the police would give her an opportunity to help improve security in her neighbourhood through a visible police presence, which she believed could deter criminal activity.
Some applicants declined to speak to the media. Others said they were concerned about being absent from their usual workplaces to submit applications, while some expressed fears that speaking publicly about their ambitions could expose them to jealousy and alleged witchcraft.
The official processing of applications began at 8.45am within the headquarters.
Under the recruitment requirements, applicants must be aged between 21 and 35 and possess a Form V certificate with academic credits.
They are also required to submit their educational testimonials, national identity documents, birth certificates, curricula vitae and recent passport-sized photographs. A valid driver’s licence is required where applicable.
Police authorities said applicants must submit their documents in person at the regional headquarters corresponding with their chiefdom codes.
The police administration said applications sent through email or social media platforms will not be accepted.
The police service also emphasised that the recruitment exercise is free of charge, warning applicants against paying anyone claiming to facilitate their selection.
