… During a courtesy visit to the PM
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– The country is upholding INTERPOL standards.
This is what was revealed in today’s courtesy visit by the Chairperson of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Agreement (SARPCCO) Lieutenant General Joseph Shimweelao Shikongo to His Excellency the Right Honourable Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini.
General Shikongo is also the Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force.
According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, the General is currently in the country to evaluate and monitor the country’s performance with regard to the implementation of agreed INTERPOL and SARPCCO Resolutions and Decisions.
“Among other things discussed were the Agreement Amending the SADC Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and other Related Materials taken in August 2020 which SADC Member States were encouraged to sign and the upcoming national elections.
“General Shikongo reported that only five SADC Member States had since signed the Agreement Amending the Protocol, with Namibia currently in the process of signing,” explained Mdluli.
He also encouraged the Kingdom of Eswatini to continue observing the Africa Amnesty Month in September each year, which has been declared as a month in which individuals and groups who surrender their illegally owned weapons/arms will not be subjected to disclosure, humiliation, arrest, or prosecution in sync with the Africa Amnesty Month and Article (b) of the SADC Protocol.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson also revealed that in discussion was the implementation of the Integrated Strategy to prevent and combat transnational organised crimes in the SADC Region as well as its implementation Plan.
“General Shikongo applauded Eswatini for doing well in meeting INTERPOL standards, noting that there was room for improvement though. His Excellency, on the other hand, welcomed the SARPCCO Chairperson to the Kingdom of Eswatini. He also appreciated the role played by SARPCCO in the coordination of cross-border issues within the police service. He further reiterated the importance of ‘silencing the guns’ as per calls by the SADC Summit.
“The Prime Minister assured the visiting SARPCCO Chairperson of a safe and secure stay in the country and noted how emaSwati were recognising the role played by police officers in the country.”
