Senator Isaac Magagula, the then National Commissioner literally created ‘a new structure of over twenty(20) Deputy and Assistant Police Commissioners” just to loot millions of public funds meant to increase salaries for junior police officers.
But he was not acting alone in all this, he orchestrated this corruption with some senior police officers who are now members of the Police Executive Command.
Therefore, it was a collective decision that warrants a demand for accountability not only from Senator Isaac Magagula in his personal capacity but, as the then National Commissioner of Police.
King Mswati is surrounded by alleged corrupt thieves who use his powers to evade accountability while stealing public funds with impunity.
Now, we are seeing the senior police officers fighting the juniors merely for demanding their salary increament and the question is; will this oppression be sustained?.
Obviously, the intimidation and labeling of junior cops demanding their salary increment cannot be sustainable, at the end the cops must and, will receive their salary increment as per a Government Circular.
But in terms of the vicarious liability principles, it is now the duty of the Government to pay the junior police officers and then, recover the monies from the senior police officers who looted the money.
Well, some of us who knew how the corruption that manifested in the corridors of power resulting to the junior cops living in poverty now, will not compromise the truth in this matter until the money is released to the rightful beneficiaries.
It cannot be right to have security officers financially struggling without any salary increament for ten(10) years when we knew what happened, Government must clean-up this mess by releasing the money including a back-pay.
In 2010 I was one of the journalists who were present during a press conference held at the Police Headquarters-Mbabane when the then Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini promised to increase salaries for all police officers, this was eventually Gazetted in 2014 through Phase one(1) for senior police officers and, Phase two(2) for junior cops.
But apart from that,I am one of the journalists who would call and speak to Prime Minister Barnabas directly so I know exactly what happened in matter, no corrupt thief within the corridors of power will ever evade accountability of the public funds.
It’s a pity that in this country we have “bomgodzi kawugcwali” as human rights defender Velaphi Mamba rightfully said during his recent Visionary Perspective Program and, these alleged corrupt people always find pleasure in orchestrating the suffering of other emaSwati.
Junior police officers have wives, children, mothers, fathers, boyfriends, girlfriends and other relatives some who are not working for the law enforcement agency and therefore, their salaries are used to take care of other emaSwati.
As you read this, there’s an innocent child who can’t have a decent breakfast or meal just because his/her father or mother who is a police officer can no-longer afford to buy breakfast and other basic necessities despite working for a whole Government.
As mentioned, I will not blame the King on this mess because I know exactly what happened in the Phase two(2) issue, King Mswati approved the salary increment after being approached by the then Prime Minister and, Barnabas implemented it through Phase one(1) and two(2).
Phase one(1) for senior police officers was implemented and we are now eagerly waiting for the implementation of Phase two(2) as per a Government Circular confirmed by the Supreme Court.
The onus is now upon those who looted the money to negotiate with Government to clean-up this mess, junior police officers are hungry and, they are rightfully demanding their money that was Gazetted by Government.
But it’s very unfortunate to note that, in this country kunebantfu labacabanga kutsi kulilungelo labo kwesutsa labanye balambe, ayiphume lemali yemaphoyisa!!!.
King Mswati(pic: Gov).