By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Eswatini police are allegedly facing shortage of vehicles to fight crime with the scarcity of resources worsening the already demotivated staff amid reluctance by the Government to increase salaries under Phase two(II).

An independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that, some police officers within the Criminal Investigation Department(CID) use their own cars, cellphones and other personal resources to investigate criminal cases amid scarcity of resources

But the shortage of vehicles and other resources that are key in the functioning of the law enforcement agency, has been going on for some time now thus undermining the quality of services provided by the police.

Services provided by the State police include criminal investigation for prosecution purpose governed by the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, State intelligence, counseling for victims of domestic violence and investigation under the Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence  Act(SODOV).

The police also work with the Anti Corruption Commission(ACC) and the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) in enforcing anti-corruption and tax administration laws.

But apart from enforcing laws, the police have a Crime Prevention Department focusing on preventing crime and/or educating members of the public on how to work with the police in fighting crime within the various communities, that department is also facing scarcity of resources.

As a result, the shortage resources has grossly affected the provision of other services and effective policing particularly, in the rural areas.

A questionnaire was sent to Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, the Police Spokesperson, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

But Sergeant Dumsile Khumalo, the Secretary General of the Royal Eswatini Police Service Staff Association(REPOSA) confirmed to this publication that, police officers are facing various challenges in their line of duty.

“Junior police officers have been using their resources that include cars and cellphones for sometime now amid scarcity of working equipment. But despite the reluctance by the Government amid demand for a salary increment under Phase two(II), junior police officers have been demonstrating dedication in their duties. Regarding the issue of police houses you are asking me about, officers are living in horrible houses, no maintenance and/or the construction of new houses to mitigate the challenges that come with the sharing of houses within the police service,”said the REPOSA Secretary General.

But a brief research conducted by this publication further uncovered that, eSwatini police are paid far lower than other officers within the Southern African Development Community(SADC) region and, despite the introduction of a benchmarking Circular that was intended to review their salaries under Phase II, the Government has been reluctant to implement a salary review, only senior officers had their salaries increased.

On another note, some members of the public told this publication that, “it is now becoming a norm to be  told about scarcity of vehicles” within the various Police Stations.

“Once you report a criminal case, when making a follow-up, the police will tell you about the non-availability of cars and other resources and it’s frustrating”, said one Liswati.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News, human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi said, the challenges within the police service “have been going on for sometime now” thus undermining public safety, national security and human rights.

“The challenges have been going on for sometime now and, it’s not only the Criminal Investigation Department that is facing scarcity of resources but even the Traffic Department. Whenever an accident occurs, it will take more than an hour for the police to arrive and clear the road. This is a clear indication that this country is collapsing because police are the first contact for any human being who faces challenges, this might include robbery, accident or anything. So if the police service is not well resourced, this means the citizens won’t enjoy peace and human rights,” said the lawyer.