Africa-Press – Eswatini. Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has promised to address the working format of fire fighters at Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Services (ENFES).
This was said by Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Simon Zwane on April 10, 2025 during the appearance of his Ministry before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the House of Assembly.
Zwane said this after a lengthy debate between Members of Parliament (MPs), who are members of the PAC and the officials from the Housing Ministry. This debate was all about paying overtime allowances to the fire fighters – a debate that lasted for more than an hour. During that debate, it transpired that fire fighters had to work for 16 hours on a daily basis, something that took a toll on them.
National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) Deputy Secretary General Msimeto Malindzisa revealed in the House of Assembly that fire fighters had to work for 16 hours almost on a daily basis. That was how they accumulated the overtime. Malindzisa mentioned that after he was asked by PAC Deputy Chairman Manzi Zwane to shed light on what exactly was happening regarding the overtime payments of the fire fighters. Zwane was sharing the PAC session in the absence of PAC Chairperson Madala Mhlanga.
Malindzisa said fire fighters would report for duty from 4pm until 12 midnight. However, instead of signing off at that time, they would have to continue being on duty until 8am. This means they would have spent 16 hours at work. Dr Zwane said such situations needed to be attended to by his Ministry. This is because he felt it was not good for fire fighters to be subjected to such harsh conditions, which forced them to work for 16 hours. The PS pleaded for support while they were addressing this matter. He urged MPs to help them find a lasting solution on this matter. He also implored the workers’ representatives to also give them the necessary advices on the matter.
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