Africa-Press – Eswatini. Some Christian civil servants might not enjoy the salary review approved by Government but their Pastos will be the biggest beneficiaries.
It has been disclosed that, some church Administrators are already contacting church members, reminding them about “kweshumi”, the ten percent(10%) tithe and other offerings.
In eSwatini some Pastors drive expensive cars purchased with money collected from church members but, the country has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line despite consistent prayers for financial breakthroughs.
Reached for comments, Mbongwa Dlamini, the President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) said, “personally he is not against offerings in churches” but urged civil servants to put themselves and their families first.
“Offering in church is allowed but you must remember that your salary must take care of you and your family. Civil servants must also refrain from applying for loans just to entertain themselves, it’s better to secure a loan for a project that will generate extra money for yourself. Now Government will increase salaries and then next year, workers will receive a back-pay so it’s a matter of months”, he said.
Government has approved a salary review for civil servants however, the salaries will be taxed by Government and for some Christians, ten percent(10%) of the entire salary will benefit Pastors and in most instances, leaving the civil servants with close to nothing.
A Christian civil servant whose “has been increased” to twenty thousand Rands(R20,000.00) will have the salary taxed and reduced to about R13,000.00 and the Pastor’s 10% share will reduce it to R11,000.00, this is before Pension Fund deductions and personal loans.
Public Service Minister Mabulala Maseko confirmed when addressing a press conference that, civil servants will receive their salary increment this month.
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