Lilongwe, Malawi – Royal Eswatini Police Service National Commissioner Manoma Vusie Masango has taken over as Chairperson of the Southern Africa Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO), assuming the role from Malawi’s Inspector General Richard Chakupaleza Chikoko Luhanga, who held the position since 2025.
The handover took place during the opening of the 31st Annual General Meeting of the SADC Chiefs of Police Sub-Committee and SARPCCO in Lilongwe, Malawi on Thursday. The ceremony was attended by Malawi Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito and INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza.
SARPCCO’s chairmanship rotates annually among member states, with the organisation focused on joint information sharing, dismantling transnational organised crime and cross-border operations. 
Accepting the chairmanship, Masango said crime transcends borders and that maintaining safety, security, peace and stability in the region required all member states to work as a unit.
He told delegates that the Eswatini Police recently busted an online gambling syndicate in which over 100 suspects were arrested, and that investigations revealed the syndicate targeted victims outside the Kingdom. He called on fellow member states to support Eswatini in the investigation, noting that victims were spread across different countries.
Masango pledged to advance collaborative efforts among SADC police organisations, saying it was their collective responsibility to safeguard the people of Southern Africa.
Outgoing Chairperson Luhanga congratulated Eswatini and pledged his support to Masango. He warned that “the shadows of criminality are constantly shifting,” and that despite the region remaining relatively peaceful, threats were now sophisticated, adaptive and technologically emboldened. “Organised crime has sunk its roots deep into our communities; exploiting economic challenges, governance gaps, porous borders, and our limited capacity to respond,” he said.
INTERPOL Secretary General Urquiza added: “There is no version of a safer world that does not run through strong, well-resourced, well-connected policing in Southern Africa, and INTERPOL is committed to listening closely and to tailoring its support to the priorities set by the region. I am personally committed to strengthening the relationship between INTERPOL and SADC, and I look forward to increased cooperation through SARPCCO to combat the threat of transnational organized crime.”
