MBABANE: The Ministry of Public Service has issued a stern reminder to civil servants to adhere strictly to established procedures when applying for government housing, amid growing concern over employees bypassing official channels.
This is contained in an internal memorandum dated April 13, 2026, addressed to Principal Secretaries and Heads of Departments (HoDs). The memo highlights an increasing trend of employees making personal visits and direct telephone calls to the Principal Secretary and Housing Officers regarding the allocation of government quarters.
According to the ministry, such conduct undermines the structured administrative processes designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the allocation of state housing.
“The practice undermines the structured hierarchy and procedural integrity required for the fair and equitable allocation of government quarters,” the memo reads in part. It further stresses that administrative efficiency depends on strict adherence to formal guidelines governing housing applications.
The ministry has directed all HoDs to discourage their staff from engaging in direct or informal communication with senior officials concerning housing matters. Instead, all inquiries, applications, and grievances must be submitted in writing through the appropriate departmental channels.
“This formalization ensures that every application is documented, tracked, and evaluated against standardized criteria, thereby upholding the principles of procedural fairness,” the memo states.
In addition, the ministry has cautioned that any attempt to circumvent the laid-down procedures will be treated as a breach of professional conduct. Officials emphasized that the integrity of the public service relies on eliminating undue influence in administrative processes.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Mthunzi Shabangu, who signed the memorandum, called on departmental heads to urgently bring the directive to the attention of all employees under their supervision.
The development comes amid ongoing pressure on government housing resources, which has often resulted in high demand and scrutiny over allocation processes. By reinforcing compliance with existing rules, the ministry aims to restore order and ensure equitable access to housing benefits among civil servants.
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