YOUR MAJESTY THE INDLOVUKAZI,
EMAKHOSIKATI,
YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESSES,
PRIME MINISTER,
COUNCILLORS,
CHIEFS,
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER,
CHIEF JUSTICE,
CABINET MINISTERS,
MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS,
PRESIDING OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT,
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE MANZINI REGION,
COMMISSIONER AND ALL RANKS OF THE ROYAL SWAZILAND POLICE,
VISITING POLICE CHIEFS AND OFFICERS FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES,
LADIES & GENTLEMEN.
SIYANIVUSELA NONKHE BEKUNENE E-POLICE COLLEGE!
INTRODUCTION
IT IS ALWAYS A GREAT PLEASURE FOR ME TO JOIN THE POLICE SERVICE HERE AT MATSAPA POLICE COLLEGE TO CELEBRATE THE ANNUAL POLICE DAY.
I WAS DELIGHTED TO HEAR THAT WE SHALL ALSO WITNESS THE PASSING OUT OF 196 POLICE RECRUITS.
MAY I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO THIS OCASSION. WE ALSO WARMLY WELCOME POLICE OFFICERS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA WHO HAVE DEEMED IT FIT TO BE WITH US TODAY. WE WISH TO SAY THE NATION APPRECIATES YOUR PRESENCE FEEL AT HOME.
IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION AMONG POLICE SERVICES
THE PRESENCE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA IN OUR MIDST IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE CORDIAL AND FRIENDLY TIES THAT EXIST BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES.
THIS ALSO ILLUSTRATES THAT OUR POLICE SERVICE WORKS HARMONIOUSLY AND CO-OPERATES WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS.
WE COMMEND SUCH A SPIRIT BECAUSE THE NATURE OF CRIME NOWADAYS, IS SUCH THAT NO POLICE SERVICE IN ANY GIVEN COUNTRY CAN BE EFFECTIVE IF IT OPERATES IN ISOLATION WITHOUT COLLABORATING WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
TO THIS END, WE LAUD THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OUR SWAZILAND POLICE SERVICE AND POLICE FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.
POLICE DAY
THE POLICE DAY GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE EXISTENCE OF THE POLICE AND APPRECIATE THE VITAL ROLE THEY PLAY IN OUR SOCIETY. THE NATION NOTES WITH DELIGHT THAT, THE POLICE ROLE HAS GROWN IN SCOPE. IT NOW COVERS A WIDE SPECTRUM OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LIFE.
POLICING AND THE NATION
TRADITIONALLY, THE WORK OF THE POLICE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE NATION AND THE POLICE THEMSELVES, AS SOLELY CONCERNED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT – ARRESTING THOSE THAT BREAK THE LAW. IN THE PAST WHEN PEOPLE SAW A POLICE CAR THEY WOULD ALL RUN AWAY TO HIDE FROM THE POLICE. (BATSI TINYAWO NGETHWALE)
BUT IN THESE MODERN TIMES, POLICE NOW SERVE AS NEGOTIATORS AND MEDIATORS TO THOSE IN DISPUTES. THEY ALSO RENDER PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE AND OTHER CASES WHICH ELICIT EMOTIONAL TRAUMA.
FURTHERMORE, THEY ARE INVOLVED IN OUTREACH PROGRAMMES SUCH AS CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS. THEY VISIT SCHOOLS TO SENSITIZE CHILDREN ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT CAN ARISE IF THEY DO THINGS THAT ARE AGAINST THE LAW.
IN ADDITION, THEY ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN SOCIAL PROGRAMMES AIMED AT SUPPORTING GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT.
SUCH PROGRAMMES INCLUDE AMONG OTHERS, BUILDING HOUSES AND PROVIDING VARIOUS BASIC NECESSITIES TO THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED.
THESE PROGRAMMES ARE APPRECIATED BY THE NATION AND THEY GO A LONG WAY IN STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR COMMUNITIES.
CALL TO THE NATION
THEREFORE, WE APPEAL TO THE NATION TO CONTINUE GIVING EMAPHOYISA ALL THE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED IN THE COURSE OF EXECUTING THEIR DUTIES. LET US AVOID PROTECTING AND HIDING CRIMINALS.
TIME WHEN OUR COMMUNITIES VIEWED POLICE OFFICERS AS ENEMIES IS LONG OVER.
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT, POLICE ARE FRIENDS WHO ARE THERE FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE IRRESPECTIVE OF YOUR STATUS IN SOCIETY.
GRATITUDE TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY & INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
THE SWAZI NATION EXTENDS GRATITUDE TO OUR DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL FOR THE VARIOUS FORMS OF SUPPORT THEY CONTINUE TO GIVE TO OUR POLICE SERVICE.
THE SUPPORT COVERS CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, CAPACITY BUILDING, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT TO KEEP OUR POLICE SERVICE ABREAST WITH INTERNATIONAL POLICING STANDARDS TO MENTION BUT A FEW.
COMMENDATION FOR WORK DONE BY THE POLICE
THE NATION CONTINUES TO BE IMPRESSED WITH YOUR GOOD WORK MAPHOYISA.
YOUR VISIBILITY ON OUR PUBLIC ROADS AND IN BUSINESS AREAS IN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL AREAS IS HIGHLY COMMENDABLE.
EQUALLY NOTEWORTHY, IS YOUR COMMITMENT TO KEEPING PEACE AND PUBLIC ORDER IN THE COUNTRY. MAPHOYISA DO YOUR WORK WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR.
THE NATION APPLAUDS YOUR PARTICIPATION WITH YOUR SISTER SECURITY FORCES IN NATIONAL ACTIVITIES. YOU ALSO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN MAINTAINING SAFETY AND SECURITY DURING THESE NATIONAL EVENTS.
WE COMMEND THE BREAKTHROUGHS MADE IN VARIOUS HIGH PROFILE CRIMINAL CASES. THIS DEMONSTRATES YOUR COMMITMENT TO DUTY AND DOING YOUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN THE COUNTRY.
WE COMMEND THIS AS CRIME IS NOT ONLY AN ENEMY OF PEACE, BUT IT CAN ALSO PREJUDICE THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF OUR NATION TO CREATE A VIBRANT ECONOMY AND IMPROVE LIVING STANDARDS OF OUR PEOPLE.
OUR NATIONAL LONG-TERM VISION IS TO ATTAIN 1ST WORLD STATUS AND THIS CANNOT BE ACHIEVED IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE IS CRIME.
PASSING OUT PARADE
TO THE PASSING OUT CONTIGENT, THIS DAY IS NO DOUBT A VERY IMPORTANT ONE IN YOUR LIVES. IT SERVES AS THE LAUNCHING PAD FOR YOUR CAREERS AS POLICE OFFICERS.
WE ARE ALL GATHERED TO WITNESS THE COMING TO FRUITION OF YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, DISCIPLINE AND COMMITMENT DURING THE METICULOUS TRAINING PERIOD.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS CEREMONY THEREFORE, IS TO ENABLE YOU MAPHOYISA TO RECEIVE OUR BLESSINGS AND WELL-WISHES.
YOU WILL BE DISCHARGED TO THE REAL WORLD WHERE YOU HAVE TO PUT THEORY INTO PRACTISE.
IN YOUR NEW WORK ENVIRONMENT, YOU SHALL FIND EXPERIENCED POLICE OFFICERS WHO SHALL TEACH YOU AND GUIDE YOU ON HOW BEST TO DO YOUR JOB. THEREFORE I IMPLORE YOU TO LEARN FROM THEM AS THEY ARE A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE.
WE URGE ALL PARENTS PRESENT HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR NEW ENDEAVOURS. POLICE WORK REQUIRES A FOCUSED MIND AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. KEEP YOUR PHYSICAL FITNESS SO THAT YOU CAN LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE.
POLICE OFFICERS ALWAYS ON DUTY
THE NATURE OF YOUR DUTY THEREFORE, MAKES IT IMPERATIVE THAT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO DISTRESS CALLS AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WHENEVER YOU ARE CALLED UPON TO DO SO.
HENCE, AS POLICE OFFICERS YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THE FACT THAT YOU ARE ON DUTY 24 HOURS A DAY WHETHER IN UNIFORM OR OUT OF UNIFORM.
GOOD MORAL
ACCORDINGLY, THE PUBLIC EXPECTS YOU TO EXHIBIT AN EXEMPLARY CHARACTER BOTH IN AND OUT OF UNIFORM.
YOUR CONDUCT MUST ALWAYS BE ABOVE REPROACH AND YOUR LIFESTYLE SHOULD REFLECT RESPECT AND HONOUR FOR THE POLICE BADGE. THIS INCLUDES STANDING FIRM AGAINST ALL FORMS OF UNETHICAL CONDUCT AND CORRUPTION.
ADHERING TO SUCH CONDUCT WILL BUILD THE IMAGE OF THE POLICE SERVICE.
THIS WILL MAKE THE POLICE ORGANIZATION TO BE HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM, ENJOYING THE FULL CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC.
DISCIPLINE
THE ROYAL SWAZILAND POLICE AND ALL DISCIPLINED FORCES IN THE COUNTRY ARE REGARDED AS THE CUSTODIANS OF DISCIPLINE, GOOD MORALS, ETHICS AND VALUES. A DISCIPLINED DISPOSITION IS THEREFORE, INDISPENSABLE IN THE LINE OF POLICE WORK.
ALL OFFICERS ARE EXPECTED TO RESPECT THEIR FELLOW COLLEAGUES AND THOSE IN AUTHORITY.
WE ALSO ENCOURAGE DIALOGUE AMONGST MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION. THIS GOES TO ALL SECTORS OF OUR SOCIETY. LET US DISCUSS OUR NATIONAL ISSUES USING THE FORUMS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW PROPER CHANNELS AND STRUCTURES WHENEVER THERE ARE ISSUES YOU WISH TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THOSE IN LEADERSHIP. AS A NEW OFFICER, YOU LEARN FROM YOUR PREDECESSORS.
LOYALTY AND OATH OF OFFICE
MAPHOYISA, YOU MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THE OATH OF OFFICE AND LOYALTY WHICH YOU TOOK BEFORE THE NATION.
SUCH AN OATH IS NOT A MERE RECITATION OF WORDS, BUT CONTAINS VALUES THAT MUST BE THE DRIVING FORCE THROUGHOUT YOUR POLICING CAREER.
CONFERMENT OF MEDALS
AS PER OUR TRADITION, POLICE OFFICERS WHO HAVE SERVED IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER, CHARACTERISED BY GOOD CONDUCT, LOYALTY, INDUSTRIOUSNESS AND EFFICIENCY ARE AWARDED MEDALS. EVEN THIS YEAR AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME THOSE POLICE OFFICERS WHO DESERVE MEDALS WILL BE AWARDED ACCORDINGLY.
THE MEDALS WILL BE IN THREE CATEGORIES; KING’S POLICE MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL AND POLICE LONG SERVICE MEDAL.
WE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE MEDAL RECIPIENTS AND WISH THEM WELL AS THEY CONTINUE SERVING THE NATION.
CONCLUSION
IN CONCLUSION, LET ME ONCE AGAIN ENCOURAGE COOPERATION BETWEEN ALL POLICE INSTITUTIONS IN THE REGION. THE SPIRIT OF WORKING AS A TEAM WILL SURELY ASSIST IN MAKING OUR REGION A SAFE PLACE.
WE ALSO WISH TO ENCOURAGE THE PASSING –OUT RECRUITS TO UPHOLD THEIR OATH OF OFFICE ALL THE TIME. THE NATION IS LOOKING UPON YOU TO LEAVE A GOOD LEGACY AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAILY DUTIES.
CERTAINLY, WE HAVE ENJOYED EACH AND EVERY MOMENT OF TODAY’S ACTIVITIES. THE DRILLS AND OTHER PERFORMANCES WERE EXCEPTIONAL GOOD. TO THE INSTRUCTORS YOU HAVE ALL DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.
WHAT REMAINS FOR ME IS TO WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AS YOU GO OUT TO YOUR RESPECTIVE STATIONS TO SERVE THE SWAZI NATION AND FROM TODAY YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED AS MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL SWAZILAND POLICE SERVICE.
THANK YOU MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS US ALL.