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 5ussell Dlamini stressed the need for a culture of fairness and transparency, where everyone was given a fair chance to advance and con tribute 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 5oyal Eswatini Police Service 5EPS at Matsapha Police $cademy yesterday.
He also said corruption should be up rooted within the police service.
“There should be no unfair promo tions, 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 as pired 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 al ternating of opportunities among police officers and doing away with providing these opportunities to one and the same people. /ikewise, he said this should be done away with among officers who went on international trips.
“Akungahambi labagangako nalabangati umsebenti,” he reiterated, loosely translated, µthe corrupt and la]y should not be afforded opportunities to travel’.
The PM reiterated that the police ser vice 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. $s 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 interven tions 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 high lighted 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 1, 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 govern ment official who was caught stealing fuel from one of the government ve hicles.
The premier stated that the issue of the officer was being dealt with and would be addressed accordingly. Dlamini as sured that government would procure police vehicles before the end of 4.