By Wendy Magagula

MBABANE: Junior police officers are expected to,once again, contribute over R600,000.00 for the hosting of the Police Day.

Sergeant Cebile ‘Cece’ Shongwe of the newly formed Police Union confirmed that junior police officers were forced to contribute one hundred Rands(R100.00)each to cover the costs for the hosting of the Police Day.

This amount, when multiplied by the over six thousand(6000) police officers in eSwatini, amounts to over R600,000.00.

“It’s true, the message was communicated by Commanders in one of the meetings. As a Union, we are against this because most police officers are financially broke and it is not their responsibility to host a Police Day. This contribution is just meant to please Mswati with gifts,” she said.

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

Police officers who contacted this Swaziland News alleged that last year(2021), they were told to contribute but the event was cancelled due to the political unrest and COVID-19.

“Even this year, they want us to contribute and the question is; what happened to last year’s contributions?” said a police officer whose name cannot be revealed for ethical reasons.

On another note, insiders revealed that some police officers whose properties were burnt by underground forces were neglected by Mswati and his Government.