'Humble and loyal servant' - Eswatini top cop dies at OR Tambo International Airport

• Eswatini Police Commissioner William 'Tsitsibala' Dlamini collapsed and died at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday.
• He was travelling to the Kingdom of Eswatini from Angola.
• SAPS' management described Dlamini as a soft-spoken, committed police officer.

Eswatini Police Commissioner William Dlamini collapsed and died at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday morning while in transit to the Kingdom of Eswatini from Angola, where he attended the 26th Interpol African Regional Conference. 

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said family and delegates accompanying the commissioner on his official trip received psychosocial services from psychologists attached to the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness Unit.

National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, sent condolences on behalf of the organisation to the Royal Eswatini Police Service and Commissioner Dlamini's family.

Masemola described Dlamini as a "soft-spoken and committed senior police officer" dedicated to enhancing cooperation to counter transnational organised crime in the region. 

"Our sincerest condolences to the Royal Eswatini Police Service and the family of the late commissioner. Dlamini was humble and dedicated to the cause of serving.

"He was always available to discuss collaboration in preventing and combating cross-border crime. The SAPS is providing the necessary support in line with its expertise through its Interpol office,"  said Masemola. 

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Police have registered an inquest docket to determine the cause of death.

The government of the Kingdom of Eswatini expressed their shock at Dlamini's sudden death. 

Acting Prime Minister Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze said Dlamini, commonly known as "Tsitsibala", was a humble and loyal servant. 

"On behalf of His Majesty's government, I would like to express our deepest condolences to their Majesties, the Nation, the Royal Eswatini Police Service, his family, friends, relatives and everyone who has interacted with the NATCOM in different stages of his life," said Gamedze. 

He added that the Kingdom of Eswatini lost a "brave, humble and loyal servant.

"We urge the nation to have the Royal Eswatini Police Service and the Dlamini family in their prayers during such a sad period in their lives," said Gamedze.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, he said.