Johannesburg – South African medical personnel battled unsuccessfully for nearly an hour to resuscitate Eswatini’s top cop, William Dlamini, who collapsed at OR Tambo in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The Eswatini National Commissioner of Police was on his way home from Angola, via OR Tambo, where he had attended an Interpol event.
Dlamini collapsed at about 04:00 before he could take his connecting flight to Eswatini.
Commenting on the tragedy, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) said it “can confirm that the Eswatini National Commissioner of Police Mr. William Dlamini suffered a severe health complication as he was entering South Africa at OR Tambo International Airport, from a trip abroad”.
ACSA added: “First responders attended to Mr. Dlamini, offering medical assistance, including CPR, for nearly an hour without success.
“Mr. Dlamini was declared deceased earlier this morning.
“At the time of the incident, all the relevant authorities were notified and arrived immediately at the scene.”
Ntokozo Mazibuko, ACSA Media Relations Specialist, said the airports company does not have details of Mr. Dlamini’s medical condition and will therefore not be able to comment any further on the matter.
“On behalf of ACSA management we would like to express our sincere condolences to the family,” Mazibuko said.
Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has – on behalf of the organisation – sent his condolences to the Royal Eswatini Police Service as well as the family of Commissioner William Dlamini.
General Masemola said the family and the delegation that accompanied the Commissioner on his official trip have received psychosocial services from psychologists attached to the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness.
General Masemola has described Commissioner Dlamini as a soft-spoken and committed senior police officer who was 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,” said General Masemola.
“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 in the SADC region.
“The SAPS is providing the necessary support in line with its expertise through its Interpol office.”
Police at OR Tambo have also registered an inquest docket to determine the cause of death.
