Africa-Press – Eswatini. Government has provided further clarity on the decision to compensate Accountant General Nomsa Simelane and a dedicated team of Treasury and public service accountants who worked extended hours to ensure the successful implementation of the nationwide salary review that benefited more than 44 000 civil servants.
The payments, processed as authorised overtime, recognise the extraordinary effort required to deliver one of the largest and most technically demanding payroll exercises undertaken in recent years.
Massive national payroll exercise delivered under pressure
The salary review required the reconfiguration of government payroll systems, verification of thousands of employee records, and the implementation of new salary structures across ministries, departments and agencies.
Officials confirmed that the team worked day and night, including weekends, to meet strict deadlines and ensure that civil servants began receiving their reviewed salaries from October 2025.
The work was completed in phases, with over 30,000 public officers paid in October and about 20,000 more paid in November, marking a major milestone in government’s commitment to improving the welfare of public servants.
Commitment beyond normal working hours
The Accountant General and her team were tasked with ensuring that the entire civil service payroll system was updated before the end of October. This involved intense system testing, troubleshooting unexpected technical challenges and ensuring the accuracy of the adjustments.
Officials highlighted that the team often worked long hours without going home, demonstrating dedication to national service during a critical period for the public service.
Junior Treasury officers were also engaged to provide additional support during peak periods, strengthening capacity and helping to maintain the high level of accuracy achieved in the rollout.
Overtime compensation approved through proper channels
Government reiterated that the payments received by the team were authorised overtime, approved through established public service procedures and linked directly to verifiable hours worked.
Authorities emphasised that the compensation reflects standard public service practice when officers are required to work beyond normal hours on urgent national assignments.
The team remains active, continuing to process adjustments and corrections submitted by employees to ensure that every public servant receives the correct salary in line with the approved review.
Recognition from parts of the labour movement
Leaders within the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) acknowledged that the Treasury team worked tirelessly to ensure that salary adjustments were implemented and indicated that the key issue moving forward is the extension of fair treatment to other civil servants who are still awaiting overtime payments.
This recognition reflects a shared understanding that the successful rollout of the salary review required extraordinary commitment and technical expertise.
Safeguarding service delivery
Government has stressed that the successful implementation of the salary review was critical to maintaining morale and stability within the public service.
The exercise demonstrated strong collaboration between the Ministry of Public Service, the Ministry of Finance and technical partners, ensuring that the process was completed with minimal errors despite the scale and complexity involved.
By recognising the officers who carried out the demanding work, government reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, fairness and efficient public administration.
Continuing commitment to transparency and fairness
Authorities have reiterated that transparency and accountability remain central to public service management. Government continues to engage stakeholders and employees to resolve outstanding adjustments and ensure that the benefits of the salary review are fully realised across the public service.
The successful completion of the exercise stands as a testament to the dedication of public servants working behind the scenes to deliver essential national programmes.
