Police Service Commission will be in place soon-PM

By Thokozani Mazibuko

Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has presented detailed responses to critical questions raised by the Cabinet Portfolio Committee regarding the status of the Police Service Commission and the long-awaited Insurance and Medical Cover Fund for police officers.

The Committee had requested clarity on progress made in both areas which are regarded as essential pillars for strengthening governance within the Royal Eswatini Police Service and ensuring the welfare and protection of officers who risk their lives daily to maintain law and order.

In his written response the Prime Minister outlined that the establishment of the Police Service Commission is both a constitutional and statutory requirement.

He confirmed that significant steps have already been taken by the Office of the National Commissioner to operationalise the Commission. According to the update the National Commissioner has already presented a proposal to Cabinet.

The proposal received approval and has since been forwarded to all relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Finance for further implementation processes.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Office of the National Commissioner is in constant engagement with these ministries.

The main objective of the ongoing consultations is to establish the Secretariat of the Police Service Commission and to facilitate the appointment of Commissioners.

He explained that these engagements are now at an advanced stage. The focus is on ensuring that the Commission becomes functional as soon as the administrative processes are completed.

The establishment of the Police Service Commission is expected to strengthen oversight enhance human resource management within the police service and align national policing structures with constitutional requirements.

The Portfolio Committee also sought an update on the progress made toward establishing an Insurance and Medical Cover Fund for police officers.

This fund is meant to provide compensation and medical support for officers who are injured or lose their lives in the line of duty.

The Prime Minister explained that this issue is fully provided for in Part IX of the Police Service Act which makes it mandatory for such a fund to be created.

The Office of the National Commissioner has been working closely with the Ministry of Finance to bring the provisions of the Act to life.

According to the Prime Minister the Office of the National Commissioner submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Finance to develop regulations that would guide the implementation of the fund.

These regulations are expected to govern important matters such as eligibility criteria procedures for accessibility compensation guidelines and mechanisms for medical care for officers.

These measures are aligned with the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act of 2017 which prescribes how public funds must be regulated and protected.

The Ministry of Finance has already produced a draft of the regulations. The Prime Minister revealed that ongoing consultations between the National Commissioner and the Ministry aim to harmonise the draft with the provisions of the Police Service Act.

This process is considered essential to ensure that the regulations are legally sound practical and responsive to the needs of the police service.

The consultations follow established government procedures where all regulations must be scrutinised and aligned across ministries before they can be implemented.

An important revelation in the Prime Minister’s response is that the draft regulations that will support the Insurance and Medical Cover Fund have far wider implications.

He explained that these regulations fall under Section 41 of the Public Finance Management Act. This means the regulations will not apply exclusively to the police service but will extend to all security forces and services in the country.

The draft is therefore named the Security Forces and Services Compensation Special Fund Regulations 2025. This broader scope is expected to standardise how compensation and medical support are administered across all state security institutions.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the intention is to ensure that members of the police service defence force and other uniformed security agencies receive fair and consistent treatment in matters of compensation and welfare.

This approach is aimed at improving morale strengthening institutional support and acknowledging the sacrifices made by security personnel across the country.

The inclusive nature of the draft regulations also reflects a coordinated approach toward managing risks and financial obligations associated with frontline service in the security cluster.

Despite the progress made the Prime Minister acknowledged that finalisation of the regulations is still underway.

Once the consultations are completed and adjustments implemented the draft regulations will follow the formal adoption process which includes legal scrutiny approval and publication before they can be operationalised.

He reassured the Committee that the Office of the National Commissioner remains committed to fast tracking the implementation of the fund.

The Office views the fund as a critical component of the welfare system for police officers and an important instrument for honouring the commitment of those who serve the nation.

The responses by the Prime Minister have provided clarity on two major governance and welfare concerns that have been widely discussed within the security sector.

The establishment of the Police Service Commission is expected to introduce structured oversight and professional management in line with constitutional expectations.

At the same time the Insurance and Medical Cover Fund promises to offer tangible support to officers and their families particularly in times of tragedy or injury.