RECKLESS POLICE SHOOTINGS INCREASE DURING CRACKDOWN ON

UNCLAS MBABANE 000008 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/S FOR MAYA HARRIS, DS/IP/AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PHUM SOCI WZ SUBJECT: RECKLESS POLICE SHOOTINGS INCREASE DURING CRACKDOWN ON CRIME ¶1. SUMMARY: Calls by high level government officials for police and security forces to use "maximum force" and be "tough and ruthless" to fight a rising crime rate have led to a drop in crime and a surge in reckless shootings and killings of suspects. Some shootings have occurred in public locations in situations that may have warranted less lethal methods. On January 6, the Ambassador and RSO met with Police Commissioner Isaac Magagula, who stated that the various shooting incidents were justified. Regardless, he welcomed RSO's invitation to review their current policies with the firearms training department and was open to suggestions on how to improve their procedures. END SUMMARY Rise in Crime Prompts Crackdown -------------- ¶2. In 2009 Swaziland experienced a spike in criminal activity, especially in the larger cities of Mbabane, Manzini and Matspaha. Local newspapers were riddled with articles on the increase in robberies, rape, black market smuggling of cars and cigarettes; and the trafficking of marijuana, cocaine and heroin. ¶3. In July 2009, the Royal Swazi Police Services were tasked with reducing serious crimes by 12% every year over a four year period. In August 2009, Prime Minister Dlamini warned that the police would not hesitate to use "maximum force" in the line of duty should the situation demand. The Commissioner of Police echoed this sentiment as he vowed that police would be "tough and ruthless on crime" and that police officers would now carry firearms every time they go out on assignment, instead of just for dangerous operations. COMMENT: To date not all Swazi police are equipped with firearms, but they are generally equipped with handcuffs and batons. END COMMENT. Crime Falls by End of 2009 -------------- ¶4. According to press reports, by November 2009 crime fell by 6.4 percent, compared with statistics from January-October 2008. Carjacking decreased by 33 percent, armed robbery decreased by 29 percent, possession/cultivation of habit forming drugs decreased by 26 percent, and both murder and rape decreased by 19 percent. Other crime statistics did increase, such as fraud by 10.55 percent and unlawful possession of firearms by 7.8 percent. Police Tactics Dangerous for Suspects and Bystanders -------------- -------------- ¶5. The decrease in overall crime comes at a heavy price for suspects involved in criminal acts, as well as increased risks for bystanders. With the decrease in crime came a surge in reckless shootings and killing of suspects in situations that may have warranted other less than lethal means for compliance. Some of the police shootings occurred near public venues. One shooting incident involved police in pursuit of a gang loitering next to the mall. The police chased them on foot and fired several rounds at the gang. One round struck an innocent bystander, who eventually had to have his leg amputated. During the first week of 2010 alone, police have been involved in two separate car chases involving police firing their weapons at the vehicles while on public streets. One car-chase ended a couple blocks from the Chief of Mission's Residence and the other chase ended across from the U.S. Embassy. Police also conducted night raids on Coronation Park, located near an Embassy residential area, firing their weapons as suspects fled the area. ¶6. The Swazi military (USDF) also had its share of overzealous shootings. In December 2009 there were two incidents of suspects smuggling vehicles across South Africa into Swaziland where the USDF was patrolling the borders. One incident left two suspects dead and the other incident left four suspects dead. ¶7. COMMENT: While it is impossible to know all the circumstances surrounding the shooting incidents, it appears that most of the events could have been addressed through less than lethal means. Shooting at a moving vehicle or a fleeing suspect rarely provides reason for deadly force. Local authorities appear to lack proper weapons discipline techniques. Security forces either lack a use of force policy or choose not to follow those guidelines. On January 6, 2010 the RSO and Ambassador met with the Commissioner of Police and discussed the shooting incidents. While the Commissioner stated that the incidents were justified, he welcomed RSO's invitation to review their current policies with the firearms training department and was open to suggestions on how to improve their procedures. END COMMENT. IRVING