Africa-Press – Eswatini. Game rangers and security officers from Eswatini’s nature reserves have been equipped with key law enforcement and human rights skills following a two-day capacity-building workshop hosted by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).
The training, held from 28–29 October 2025 at Mayaluka Community Hall in Big Bend, was supported by the Nature Protection Association (NPA) and brought together personnel from Mhlosinga, Nisela, Mbuluzi, Dupont, and Fidelity, among other reserves.
Experts from multiple units within the Police Service, along with officials from the Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration, facilitated the workshop. The sessions covered critical areas such as lawful arrest procedures, human rights, the Game Act, search and seizure guidelines, crime scene management, the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, and the proper use of force.
Delivering remarks during the closing ceremony, Deputy National Commissioner Wendy Hleta, who represented the National Commissioner of Police, praised the initiative and emphasised the importance of strong cooperation between rangers, the police, and surrounding communities.
“Good relations are essential for peace and harmony to prevail within communities,” she said. “What we must all embrace is the protection of wild animals, the safety of rangers, and the wellbeing of people living in and around game reserve areas.”
Hleta also recognised the NPA for its consistent partnership with the Police Service, including its advocacy for the establishment of a dedicated Anti-Poaching Unit—an effort she described as vital to safeguarding the country’s natural heritage.
Over the years, the NPA has contributed significantly to crime prevention and wildlife conservation, helping strengthen collaboration between protected areas and local communities in the ongoing fight against poaching and environmental crime.
The workshop highlighted the continued need for collective action between security agencies and conservation stakeholders to ensure a safer and more secure environment for both humans and wildlife.
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