PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER NEW FEES FOR IDS, OTHERS

MBABANE – “The COVID-19     pandemic’s effects are enough to encourage government to halt any increase in fees for services provided.”

This point was brought forward by members of the public following a decision by government, through Ministry of Home Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Nhlanhla Nxumalo, that there would be an increase in fees paid for civil registration and immigration services. This was communicated last Saturday where it was stated that the effective date would be January 1, 2021. However, on Monday, the PS issued another statement informing the nation that the date had been deferred to March 2021. Despite the deferment, the public still feels that government is offside and does not have their interests at heart.

Services

Most of the services, including the registration of civil rites marriage and the late registration of birth certificates and identity documents (IDs), will be increased by over 100 per cent, with some going up to 500 per cent. Raising debate is the increase in registration for civil rites marriage, which will be from E25 to E150 and the replacements of IDs, from E50 to E300.
During random interviews conducted by this public, the citizens said they did not understand how government would allow such a move, especially because it (government) was aware that many people had lost their jobs and families were barely surviving since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, which led to the lockdown that contributed to the collapse of the economy.

“Money is hard to come by these days. That is no secret. We wish to understand government’s thinking in increasing fees for the services that they deliver and we cannot live without,” they said. They said it seemed like government did not put people’s needs first. “We are aware that at some point, prices have to hike. However, why do they have to hike now and at great percentages?” asked one of the members of the public.

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