MBABANE – Prime Minister Mmiso Dlamini says police should be left to do their job without any interference.
The premier made this remark in response to journalists who had enquired about circulating reports suggesting that some politicians interfered with the police when arresting criminals involved in illegal gambling in the country.
The journalists first asked Dlamini whether any reports had been made to his office regarding these circulating allegations. He was also asked how he intended to respond if such reports were indeed brought to his attention.
In reply, Dlamini said it would be helpful if the suspected politicians were identified.
He said at present nothing had been reported to his office concerning claims that police are hindered from performing their duties due to interference from certain Cabinet ministers.
The premier emphasised that police should carry out their duties as stipulated in law without interference from anyone. He added that all criminals must be arrested and brought to justice for the law to take its course.
The circulating talks emerged following the arrest of over 150 foreign nationals from various countries, mostly Asians, for operating illegal gambling businesses in Eswatini.
These foreign nationals originated from countries such as Mainland China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brazil, Cambodia, and India, among others.
Illegal activity appears to be a global issue. Some of the foreign nationals have been deported to their home countries, following conviction, while others are currently being held at the Correctional Facility pending their repatriation.
The alleged kingpin is currently in custody, along with two others, pending trial. They will be tried alongside three emaSwati who are also accused of hiring the foreign nationals and further operating the illegal gambling businesses.
Eswatini health crisis cannot be solved without more staff – WHO
Eswatini will not overcome health challenges unless it hires sufficient employees.
This advice was given to the Prime Minister’s Office by the World Health Organisation during its recent visit to the country.
This, Prime Minister Mmiso Russell Dlamini, said during a press conference with journalists at the Cabinet Office conference room yesterday.
In response, the premier said the country is prioritising health by ensuring it receives the necessary budget as the government prepares to work on the budget for the next financial year. He explained that proper budgeting aims to ensure sufficient staffing.
“Government has heard that it should prioritise health,” he said.
It is worth noting that many countries, including Eswatini, still face challenges in making the international benchmark a reality, following the Abuja Declaration. The Abuja Declaration commits at least 15 per cent of the annual government budget to be allocated to the health sector.
Meanwhile, Minister for Public Service Mabulala Maseko said government had attempted to fill vacancies within the Ministry of Health.
Maseko said as a result, government hired 127 health employees as reflected in the ministry’s report. He highlighted some challenges affecting the recruitment of health practitioners, including Circular No. 3 of 2018, which imposed a hiring freeze, resulting in the government hiring only a limited number of employees.
He added that ongoing engagements between the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Health were aimed at ensuring that the hiring of health personnel continued.
The minister acknowledged the shortage of staff within the ministry of health.
…. delivers on Sibaya submissions
With three years in office, government has tangible progress to showcase regarding its service delivery, attributing these achievements to the prevailing peace.
The Prime Minister, Mmiso Russell Dlamini, shared these sentiments during a press conference held at the Cabinet conference room yesterday. He was responding to questions from journalists.
Dlamini revisited the Sibaya submissions, where the nation deliberated on pressing issues such as drug shortages in health facilities, scholarships and land grabbing, among others.
He stated that government considered the public submissions when implementing measures under the ‘Nkwe’ approach.
He highlighted that when government assumed office, the availability of drugs in health facilities was approximately 30 per cent.
Dlamini explained that, through the efforts of all stakeholders involved, government managed to improve the supply of drugs, raising their availability to around 90 per cent tom the benefit of the nation.
It is worth noting that drug shortages in hospitals were among the most contentious issues discussed at Sibaya.
The severity of the problem prompted emaSwati to call for urgent investigations to identify those responsible and ensure they face appropriate legal action.
Minister for Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, who was among the panelists addressing the drug shortage, called for thorough investigations to ensure that those involved were held accountable.
He questioned whether even the containers holding the drugs were consuming the supplies.
Dlamini stated that the government had successfully fulfilled its promise to pay salaries for civil servants after a review conducted by a hired consultant.
He also mentioned that government has increased the number of scholarship beneficiaries. He said not only has the number of beneficiaries risen, but the monthly allowances have also been increased.
The current government announced an expansion for the 2026/2027 financial year, increasing the number of tertiary scholarship slots to 4 500 – an increase of approximately 1 000 compared to the previous year. Additionally, the monthly allowances for sponsored students were raised from E1 690 to E2 000.
Dlamini noted that government has initiated the construction of a cold storage facility next to the airport to support mega agricultural projects aimed at overseas exports.
He also stated that government had done a lot in fulfilling its mandate in relation to the construction of decent houses for the elderly and vulnerable children across the country though the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office.
Some of the things government has delivered :
- Increasing tertiary students beneficiaries and monthly allowances
- Hiring of 127 health workers
- Construction of elderly and vulnerable children houses through the DPMO
- Improving drug supply in health facilities for the benefit of the nation
- Construction of a cold storage facility next to the airport to support mega agricultural projects aimed at overseas exports.
Civil servants miscalculated back pay formula, clarifies Minister Maseko
The Minister for Public Service, Mabulala Maseko, has stated that some civil servants incorrectly calculated their anticipated pay following the salary adjustments made after the review.
Maseko explained that a correct formula was applied, but many civil servants used an incorrect formula, leading them to believe they were underpaid.
He also stated that the ministry had discovered that many employees mistakenly considered the remaining 85 per cent of the back pay as part of their annual basic salaries.
The minister clarified that back pay is determined by the difference between the old and new salary scales.
He provided an example of those eligible for E5 000, explaining that the amount was multiplied by six to cover the six months of back pay.
He mentioned that the payments were taxed accordingly. Maseko also gave an example involving politicians, stating that they paid around 33 per cent tax and contributed to MOPADO, which meant the actual payment was less than some had anticipated.
“I was referring to back pay for the salary review, not the annual basic salary as some perceived,” Maseko clarified.
He added that government played a significant role in ensuring that the back pay was disbursed to civil servants as promised.
Maseko was given the opportunity to clarify the burning issue during a press conference at the Cabinet Office yesterday, where Prime Minister Mmiso Russell Dlamini was also present.
The prime minister stated that government has established a committee to handle appeals from civil servants regarding queries related to the back pay after the adjustments informed by the salary review.
He said the initiative aims to ensure transparency and satisfaction among civil servants.
Leave a comment