Swazi Observer

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PM APPLAUDS REPS FOR BUSTING ‘FACATA’ SYNDICATE

By KWANELE SIBIYA | 2025-01-24

Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has applauded the police service for busting the extensive and highly sophisticated ‘facata’ syndicate.

The premier, making his remarks during the senior police officers and senior civilian support staff end-of-year conference, recognised the police for shielding the nation from a variety of security and safety threats.

He said it was remarkable that the police service has made tremendous strides in busting the extensive and highly sophisticated ‘facata’ syndicate which was targeting unsuspecting Emaswati, particularly the elderly, defrauding them of their hard-earned monies with impunity.

The police have managed to bust a total of 42 ‘facata’ scammers thus far.
“We hope and believe that more suspects will continue to be rounded-up and arrested as investigations intensify,” he said.

The prime minister said the ever present police visibility on the country’s roads as well as in other public spaces, particularly during the busy festive season, was commendable and has proven to be a highly effective crime prevention strategy.

“For an organisation that is constantly in pursuit for excellence and professionalism, congratulations on receiving a full accreditation certificate of the Police Academy from the Eswatini Higher Education Council.

Please maintain the standards and make sure that training programmes offered equip officers to be competent in the execution of their duties,” the premier said.

He urged the police to always remember that competency was of utmost importance for law enforcers in today’s world which was marked by rapid change in all socio-economic facets.

He further praised the police for embarking on an exercise to reflect on organisational progress and performance so as to identify areas of special focus and devise relevant and appropriate strategies for the upcoming year.

Dlamini said this was mandatory for both private enterprise and public service institutions for improved service delivery as critical self-analysis was a fundamental process of good corporate governance the world over.

“It is an honour to mention that during my tenure thus far, REPS is performing quite impressively on its mandate of shielding the nation from a variety of safety and security threats and challenges through the adoption of relevant and effective prevention and reaction strategies,” the premier said.

This, he said, was evident from available statistics which show that the police service was able to significantly reduce homicides and fatal road accidents during the year 2024.

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‘It is an obligation for the police service to ensure the safety and security of the country’s citizens and business interests who are expected to conduct their trade and commerce in an environment free from the fear of crime and one that promotes a vibrant and profitable market-based economy,” he said.

The premier said this would undoubtedly make Eswatini a highly attractive trading partner and act as a catalyst for government’s drive to invite foreign direct investment, which would help in alleviating the high unemployment rate while simultaneously contributing positively to the country’s socio-economic development.

He noted that the conference’s theme ‘Sikhona as a Police Service, Sitse Nkwe in Fighting Crime and Road Carnage to Ensure the Safety and Security of the Nation in Partnership with Stakeholders,’ was perfectly in sync with central government’s programme of action strategies, goals and objectives in the public safety and security sector.

“As an emergency service provider, I have noted the sense of urgency and spirit of promptness when attending to distress calls as rightly captured by the theme and this should guide your service delivery mechanisms for the year ahead,” he stated.

“We cannot omit to mention your significant role in the on-going disaster situation as caused by the incessant rains leading to floods and overflowing dams and rivers,” the premier added.

The commitment and dedication of the police to their duty was on display every time they issued emergency notices and cautions on road and river conditions, possible civil disturbances and potential emergency situations as well as their impressive reaction time and strategies deployed to assist victims, with the police scuba divers team leading the charge.

The premier said the theme also highlighted continuous police presence in all public spaces, which was a very bold and impressive statement that was meant to give citizens and commercial entities some peace of mind and a secure future.

He pointed out that the last part of the theme entailed collaboration, and to effectively execute its mandate, the police service needs to be in good terms with the public and stakeholders for support.

This, the premier said meant that members of the REPS needed to continue creating and strengthening relations with the public and the business sector.

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