By Zweli Martin Dlamini

Newly appointed National Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police  Service(REPS) Vusi Masango must remember that,being loyal to the King is not about killing innocent civilians but enforcing and upholding the rule of law.

Before announcing the National Commissioner, King Mswati made some comments which demonstrated that as he grows older,he is maturing, his speech was worth listening this time.

The King said “being ignored for an appointment does not mean you are not capable”, knowing the character of newly appointed National Commissioner Vusi Masango,the King wanted someone who is aggressive and brutal to strengthen the protection of his Throne, Masango is the former Head of the Operational Support Services Unit(OSSU).

Senior Deputy Commissioner Sula Dlamini is a highly educated police officer but education is not considered for such appointments but loyalty and capability to implement unlawful orders, Mswati had to choose between professionalism and brutality and as expected he choose brutality.

But the King tried to create unity among the Police Executive Command, he said the new Commissioner is about to retire and this will motivate other senior police officers to be loyal hoping for appointments.

The Executive Command was divided before this appointment and the onus is now upon the new National Commissioner to unite the organization and work with all the Deputy Commissioners.

Knowing how Mswati operates, now that he has appointed Vusi Masango,he can bring Sula Dlamini and the other Commissioners more closer so that they can monitor and tell him what the new National Commissioner is doing.

So the new National Commissioner must never think he is the only King’s favorite, Mswati can appoint you as the Head and then plant someone who will monitor you.

Police are struggling with low salaries and with no working equipment, even though we are seeing the reduction in the number of Deputy Commissioners as that structure was used by Senator Isaac Magagula to steal the millions meant to increase salaries for junior officers, we hope the new National Commissioner will address the welfare of junior officers.