Africa-Press – Eswatini. King Mswati’s Government through the Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko has announced a four(4) percent salary increment for the police, soldiers and correctional services officers as tension escalates within the security forces.
Subsequent to the approval of the increment, on Tuesday morning, Phindile Dlamini, the Commissioner General of His Majesty’s Correctional Services wrote a memo addressed to warders and announced the increment.
This comes amid serious division within the security forces that threatens the existence of King Mswati’s cruel, oppressive Tinkhundla dictatorship Government.
Two weeks ago, police and warders marched to the Prime Minister, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister and the Public Service Minister’s offices, demanding a salary increment under Phase two(2).
But Mswati’s Government responded by attempting to arrest Sergeant Dumsile Khumalo, the Secretary General of the Police Staff Association who was leading junior police officers and warders in the historic protest.
In an urgent memo signed on Tuesday and addressed to the Executive Command and Heads of Station, the Correctional Services Commissioner General Phindile Dlamini confirmed that the 4% was approved by the Minister of Public Service.
“The Executive Command, Regional Commissioners, Heads of Stations Officers in Charge and all ranks are kindly informed that the Minister of Public Service has announced a four(4) percent salary increment for Phase II. The increment will be awarded to Superintendents downwards beginning from April 1, 2022 pending salary review by a consultant. A circular in this regard will be issued in due course,”reads a memo signed by the Commissioner General on Tuesday.
The four(4) percent salary increment suggests that junior Correctional Services officers who earn around ten thousand Rands(R10,000.00) will receive only four hundred Rands(R400.00) as an increment and the money might be reduced by taxes.
The junior warders will also receive around Three thousand two hundred Rands(R3,200.00) as a once-off back-pay, this amount is calculated based on 4% and or the four hundred Rands (R400.00)salary increment from April 2022 to November 2022.
According to a Government circular, the junior warders were supposed to receive a salary increment from April 2014, this means if the 4% was to be calculated from April 2014, junior officers were supposed receive thirty eight thousands, four hundred Rands(R38,400.00) as a back-pay for eight(8)years.
Superintendent Gugulethu Dlamini, the Correctional Services Spokesperson had not responded to our questions, she was asked to clarify why Government and or the Correctional Services awarded only four(4) percent and then backdated the increase to April 2022 instead of April 2014.
Security officers are demanding a salary increment from Government after being neglected for years, some officers are languishing in debts as the cost of living continues to rise.
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