Times Of Swaziland: E4.5M FOR NTSHANGASE, 2 OTHERS

E4.5M FOR NTSHANGASE, 2 OTHERS
================================================================================
Mfanukhona Nkambule on 24/01/2021 14:57:00


MBABANE – Government will have to facilitate payment of E4.5 million to
families of three politicians who recently died of COVID-19-related illnesses.
These are Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, the late former Prime Minister, Christian
Myekeni Ntshangase, the late Minister of Public Service and Senator Jimmy
Hlophe. The Times SUNDAY can reveal that the family of Ntshangase, who was
buried yesterday at Mkhwakhweni in the Shiselweni Region, stands to get E1 526
640 as a death benefit provided in Circular No.2 of 2013.
active politics
The package for Senator Hlophe, who returned to active politics in August 2020,
amounts to E1 111 632 while the family of the late former prime minister
deserves a payout, at minimum, of E1 908 168. Article 4.2 (i) of Circular No.2
of 2013 states that parliamentarians are insured as part of the fund against
accidents and death in terms of a contract concluded by government with an
insurance company. It is provided in the circular, which spells out the terms
and conditions of service for the politicians, that the insured benefits include
a group life insurance of two times annual salary.
died in office
For the politician’s family to get the money, the backbencher (MP without
ministerial position) or minister must have died in office. At the time of his
death, Ntshangase, who died on January 16, 2021, was entitled to a monthly
salary of E63 610.65 while Senator Hlophe’s basic salary was E46 318.50. The
senator died last Wednesday. The late prime minister, who died on December 13,
2020, was salaried at E79 507.42 per month. Two times annual salary, one of the
MPs said is the basic salary calculated by 24 months. This newspaper could not
establish if the death benefit is taxed or not, but an insurance broker who
works closely with politicians said it was tax-free. “It’s weird to tax a
death benefit,” he said, preferring to address the issue on condition of
anonymity.
Reads part of the Circular: “Parliamentarians are insured as part of the fund
against accidents and death in terms of a contract concluded by Government with
an insurance company.”
For purposes of Circular No.2 of 2013, parliamentarians refer to the prime
minister, deputy prime minister, presiding officers, ministers, regional
administrators, deputy presiding officers, members of Parliament, Tindvuna
Tetinkhundla and Bucopho Betinkhundla.