By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Senior Superintendent Clement Sihlongonyane, the retiring police detective who was instrumental in the killing of civilians says, he won’t be disappointed if his contract “is not renewed”considering the corruption that manifested in the recent promotion of junior officers.

The senior cop was discussing with other officers this week while analysing the list of promoted officers, the context of the discussion was then leaked to this Swaziland News journalist.

“Eish, nawubuka lendlela lekwenteke ngayo kulama-junior officers promotions, umuntfu vele kumele angagadzi lutfo(meaning: Considering what happened in the promotion of junior officers, it’s clear that I must expect nothing”, said the senior cop who is due for retirement on the 18th December 2023.

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

On another note, almost all bodyguards for the outgoing Cabinet Ministers were promoted, Head of Police Royal Protection Unit Ngwane Dlamini managed to influence the promotion of his son who is hardly at work.

When asked by this Swaziland News if they “are happy with the new promotions”, Sergeant Dumsile Khumalo, the Secretary General (SG) of the Police Staff Association said, they cannot be happy if experienced police officers are ignored while those who recently passed-out are promoted.

“We shall never be happy nangabe kunebantfu labadzala lesolo bangakabekwa bese kuyobekwa bo 84”, said the Secretary General of the Police Staff Association.

Reached for comments and asked by this Swaziland News to clarify and justify the promotions, National Commissioner of Police William Tsintsibala Dlamini claimed he was struggling to hear the questions from this journalist.

“I am struggling to hear you Mlangeni, awvakali,” said the National Commissioner who subsequently terminated the conversation.

Senior Superintendent Clement Sihlongonyane had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

On another note, some of the police officers who were hard at work during the political unrest told this publication that, they felt betrayed by the Tinkhundla system after restoring peace and stability in the country.

But in the leaked discussion,Senior Superintendent Sihlongonyane who allegedly killed dozens of civilians during the unrest, said “it’s important” for officers like him who worked hard to ‘counsel’ themselves and be ready for any decision that might be taken, Sihlongonyane is currently lobbying to have his contract renewed after retirement.