Hundreds of job seekers in Eswatini queued overnight to apply for Constable II positions in the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). The recruitment exercise, which started on November 3, 2026, attracted large numbers of job seekers from different parts of the country. Some aspiring police officers arrived at regional police headquarters as early as 4am, while others spent the night at recruitment centres, braving thunderstorms and heavy rain.
The queue at the Mbabane Police Station stretched for approximately 500 metres, with applicants from different parts of the country, including Pigg’s Peak, Motshane, Nkambeni, Dlangeni, and Msunduza. Police Officer Gwebu moved along the queue, reminding applicants about the requirements and cautioning them against submitting forged documents. She warned that the police service would verify all academic qualifications and that anyone found to have forged certificates would face the consequences.
The document-verification process resulted in some applicants being turned away temporarily after failing to attach all the required documents. Some were missing passport-sized photographs, while others had not submitted certified copies of their certificates. However, those whose applications were incomplete were advised to correct the shortcomings and return. Applicants with complete documents had their applications registered and were issued with registration numbers.
The rush was also felt at nearby printing and photocopying businesses, where applicants queued to print and certify documents before returning to the police station. Some applicants were reluctant to be photographed, with a number using umbrellas to shield their faces. They explained that their current employers were unaware that they were seeking to join the police service.
Despite the long queue, some applicants remained optimistic. Thabani Mlotsa from Pigg’s Peak said this was his second attempt at joining the police service, adding that he remained hopeful of being successful this time around. Meanwhile, Mthandeni Mndzebele from Motshane Inkhundla said he was applying for the first time after completing school.
In Nhlangano, the determination of aspiring police officers was tested by the weather, as thunderstorms and heavy rain showers failed to discourage those who wanted to submit their applications early. Some applicants spent the night at the Nhlangano Police Station, while others travelled to the town the previous evening to position themselves ahead of the opening of the recruitment process.
The recruitment exercise is scheduled to run until November 4, 2026, with applications being received between 8am and 4pm at the designated Regional Police Headquarters. For many applicants, joining the police service represents an opportunity to fulfil a childhood ambition and serve the country, while for others, it is a chance to earn a living, support their families, and escape the uncertainty of unemployment.
Key points
- Hundreds of job seekers in Eswatini queued overnight to apply for police jobs
- The recruitment exercise attracted large numbers of job seekers from different parts of the country
- Applicants faced challenges, including long queues and document verification issues
