Ongoing police recruitment: Commission on Human Rights, MPs raise concerns

MBABANE – The Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration Integrity has raised concerns over the treatment of young people queueing for police jobs, recommending changes to the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) recruitment process.

The commission highlights nine concerns about the manner in which the recruitment exercise is being conducted, while proposing four measures to make the process more accessible and dignified.

In the advisory issued yesterday, the commission expressed concern over reports of large numbers of applicants spending prolonged periods in exposed conditions while waiting to submit their applications in person at regional police offices across the country.

The commission, which issued the advisory under reference number HRC/ADV/004/2026, said it had observed that hundreds of young people had gathered in long queues along public roads, exposing themselves to harsh weather conditions as they waited to access the recruitment centres.

It acknowledged the need for standard recruitment procedures to ensure fairness and transparency but questioned whether relying exclusively on physical submission of applications was the most accessible and convenient approach.

The commission has proposed that future recruitment exercises should allow applicants to submit their documents through different channels, including electronic platforms, tinkhundla centres and police stations or posts.

This comes amid the ongoing recruitment exercise, which has seen aspiring police officers converge on regional police headquarters in Hhohho, Manzini, Shiselweni and Lubombo in pursuit of the limited Constable II positions advertised by the police service.

The recruitment exercise commenced on Monday, November 2, and is scheduled to close today.

Applicants are required to submit their documents in person at designated Regional Police Headquarters between 8am and 4pm.

The scale of the exercise was evident on its opening day, when applicants began arriving at recruitment centres in the early hours of the morning.

In Mbabane, the queue reportedly stretched for approximately 500 metres, from the police station towards Build it Plus and the KFC Drive-Thru.

Some applicants arrived as early as 4am, while others spent the night at recruitment centres to secure early positions in the queues.

In Nhlangano, applicants endured rain and thunderstorms, with some spending the night at the police station. One applicant, 28-year-old Sifiso Shabangu from Ngudzeni, reportedly left home at 7pm on Sunday and secured first position in the official queue at approximately 3:30am.

The scenes were also reported in the other regions, where job seekers turned up in large numbers to submit their applications.

The commission said the reliance on physical submissions placed an unnecessary burden on applicants, particularly those travelling from far-flung areas and those with limited financial means.

It further observed that the arrangement placed pressure on the already limited resources of the police service.

In its advisory, the commission stated that prolonged queuing in extreme weather conditions undermined the inherent dignity of individuals, as protected under Chapter III of the Constitution and regional and international human rights instruments to which Eswatini is a party.

It also said the scenes raised concerns about the challenges facing unemployed young people in the country and risked reinforcing perceptions that their circumstances and aspirations did not receive sufficient consideration, planning and foresight from public institutions.

Among the proposed measures is the establishment of localised application reception points through tinkhundla centres.

The commission recommended that where physical submission is necessary, the police should consider using existing tinkhundla centres, police stations and posts within the different regions.

According to the commission, this would reduce the need for applicants to travel long distances or spend excessive periods waiting in exposed conditions.

It also recommended the introduction of electronic and digital submission channels.

Under this proposal, the police service would operationalise secure email addresses and downloadable application forms and, where feasible, establish simple online application portals.

The commission said this would enable applicants to submit their documents remotely, at their convenience, without incurring travelling expenses or enduring lengthy queues.

Another recommendation is the introduction of phased recruitment or scheduled appointments for applicants who are still required to submit their documents physically.

The commission said an appointment system would help manage the number of people attending recruitment centres, prevent overcrowding and minimise waiting periods.

It further called on the police to ensure that all available application channels are communicated to the public well in advance through different platforms.

This, it said, would allow prospective applicants to choose the submission method that was most accessible and suitable to their circumstances.

The current recruitment exercise seeks to fill a limited number of vacant Constable II positions.

In its earlier reporting on the exercise, The Times of Eswatini reported that applicants must be emaSwati aged between 21 and 35, possess the required academic qualifications and meet the stipulated physical and character requirements.

Applicants are required to possess a Form V certificate with academic credits and submit supporting documents, including their national identity documents, birth certificates, educational testimonials, curriculum vitae and recent passport-sized photographs. A valid driver’s licence is required where applicable.

The police service has also directed applicants to submit their documents at the regional police headquarters corresponding with their chiefdom codes. Applications submitted to the wrong regional headquarters may be rejected.

The police have warned against forged academic documents, stating that qualifications would be verified. Applicants have also been cautioned against paying anyone promising to facilitate their recruitment, as the exercise is free of charge.

In its conclusion, the commission maintained that efficiency, procedural integrity and respect for human dignity were not mutually exclusive.

It said facilitating dignified, accessible and convenient processes for people seeking to serve the nation was an expression of good governance and respect for the people of Eswatini.

The commission, through its Commissioner, Ambassador Zwelethu Mnisi, said it remained available to offer further guidance and support to the police service.

Meanwhile, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) says it is open to suggestions and constructive criticism following concerns raised over its ongoing recruitment exercise.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Phindile Zwane said the organisation welcomed discussions aimed at improving its daily operations, including its recruitment processes.

“As an organisation, we are open to suggestions, discussions and constructive critique aimed at improving our daily operations, including our recruitment processes. We trust that those who wish to contribute will utilise the official channels established for this purpose,” said Zwane.

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