MBABANE – The Minister for Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, has acknowledged concerns of interference on the ENPF Conversion Bill by public service employees.
The minister was responding to the processes in the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) Conversion Bill of 2025.
Buthelezi says the Ministry of Public Service is ‘playing hide and seek’ on the matter.
The ENPF Conversion Bill seeks to transform the fund from a provident scheme into a defined benefit pension fund. Under this proposed scheme, retiring members would receive monthly payouts for life in addition to a lump sum, calculated based on their years of contribution.
Minister for Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi questioned the commitment of the Ministry of Public Service, suggesting there may be underlying concerns about the proposed conversion. “It is surprising how some matters are unfolding. I honestly do not believe that if there is a project in the Ministry of Agriculture, I would go all out to ensure it does not succeed,” said Buthelezi.
This follows concerns by senators during the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s first quarter performance report debate, who stated that what was unfolding as opposing views on the ENPF Conversion Bill by the Ministry of Public Service did not put government in a good position.
Minister Buthelezi stressed that both the ENPF and the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) fall under the realm of social security, which is led by his ministry. “I’m not too sure objectivity is being used in some of these matters,” he added in response to the senators’ concerns.
Buthelezi further emphasised that now that the Bill was before Parliament, it was no longer a matter for either ministry alone.
“We will put all our trust in Parliament to listen to all submissions by the public and stakeholders and do what is right,” he said.
“The formulation and tabling of this Bill is the popping of a wart, an achievement, that after 17 years, the Bill is finally out,” said Buthelezi.
Despite the general support for the ENPF’s conversion, civil service employees, represented by various Public Sector Unions (PSUs), have remained firm in their call to be excluded from the proposed national pension scheme.
These employees are currently part of the PSPF, a statutory pension fund established in 1993 specifically for government workers.
When sought for comment on the matter, the Minister for Public Service, Mabulala Maseko, stated that his ministry did not oppose the conversion of the ENPF. “We fully support the conversion and are behind it,” he said. “However, we have no control over it. What I oversee at the public service is the PSPF.”
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