Paper short abstract:

This paper looks at the linkages between policing and politics in an urban constituency of Swaziland. It focuses in particularly on how community policing has become a site for political contestations and opportunities for unemployed men in the midst of leadership disputes and rival policing actors.

Paper long abstract:

The capacity of the Royal Swaziland Police to handled crimes is challenged by alternative forms of policing and by rival political constellations. Policing and politics often merge, as police officers, community police, traditional leaders, the king's councillors and elected politicians draw on and dispute each other to consolidate their power within local constituencies. Who resolves family disputes, crimes and land quarrels is a political matter, although not always explicitly termed political. This paper looks at the linkages between policing and politics in an urban constituency, situated in the largest industrial area of the small Kingdom. It is a high density area, mainly inhabited by newcomers from around the country. While providing a space of hope for a better life, the area is known for its high levels of crime, youth unemployment and moral decay. It is also notorious for its strong community policing group, said to have drastically reduced crime, yet which has also made its way into the courts and the news headlines due to its violent methods. The community police have also turned into a site for political contestations and opportunities in the midst of a longstanding traditional leadership dispute over the governance of the area. Community policing members are drawn into rival political battles, and some also aspire to become politicians and local leaders themselves.