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MBABANE – The Police Staff Association Executive yesterday met with the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) executive, led by the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsitsibala Dlamini.
During the meeting, the staff association quelled any fears among members of the public that junior police officers would engage in a strike action over the issue of Phase II of the Restructuring Exercise.
Police Staff Association Chairperson Sergeant Isaac ‘Kaira’ Lukhele confirmed that they held a fruitful meeting with the NATCOM’s office. Lukhele stated that they assured the NATCOM that there was no intention by the junior officers to engage in a ‘go-slow strike action.’
Serve
The chairperson said the rumour was started on social media and was far from the truth. “We were quoted out of context that we will cause uncertainity. We are police officers and bound to the Police Act to serve the public.” Lukhele said if any- one within the force deviated, they corrected them in a polite manner.
Furthermore, he encouraged the nation to continue seeking services from the police as officers were at work fully.
Meanwhile, Dlamini said the chairperson mentioned that the allegations of the strike action by members of the police service that were circulating on social media platforms were far from the truth and unfounded as officers remained loyal to the oath of office.
Meeting
Dlamini noted that during the meeting, the executive of the Staff Association acknowledged that in the past, they approached some matters with overzealousness and did not adhere to the policies guiding the Police Staff Association, hence the convening of an unofficial meeting in September 2022.
Dlamini stated that the Executive led by its chairperson reiterated that the association remained under the guidance of the office of the national commissioner of police as per the policies that guide its establishment. ‘An apology was issued for causing uncertainty’.
Mediate
According to the NATCOM, the Staff Association approached the office of the Minister of Public Service to mediate and give counsel in the issue of the Phase II of the Restructuring Exercise in the police service and they were in no way making any demands.
He said the minister held several meetings with the staff associations and leadership of both the REPS and HMCS in a bid to have the issues of concern by junior officers regarding the implementation of Phase II resolved.