Lobamba – The Prime Minister’s Office came under intense scrutiny in Parliament on Thursday as Members of Parliament demanded answers over stalled police promotions, disparities in housing allowances for civil servants and overtime payments for government drivers.
Debating the Prime Minister’s Office First Quarter Performance Report, legislators questioned government’s commitment to implementing recommendations aimed at improving conditions of service in the public sector, while also highlighting what they described as growing frustration within the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).
Mayiwane MP Sicelo Khumalo, submitted that promotions within REPS had ground to a halt, creating confusion in the force and affecting its operations.
“How far have you gone in sorting out the issue of security forces promotions? REPS promotions are at a standstill. There is chaos in the police force,” Khumalo said.
He told the House that in some police stations several officers held the same rank, while constables were leading operational shifts that should ordinarily be supervised by sergeants.
“You find maybe three people having the same title. Shifts are chaired by constables instead of sergeants. It is long overdue,” he said.
The MP added that police officers were overworked, while station commanders continued to shoulder administrative responsibilities alongside their operational duties. He appealed to government to conclude the promotion exercise and consider providing station commanders with sedan vehicles to improve service delivery.
On another note Dlamini questioned why government had allegedly failed to fully implement recommendations contained in a consultants’ report on housing allowances.
Refering to the report, Dlamini said the consultant report recommended that officers in Grades A and B who are not accommodated in government quarters or commission houses should qualify for a housing allowance regardless of whether they are employed on permanent and pensionable terms.
The MP questioned why contract teachers and other employees on contract had allegedly been excluded from the arrangement.
“The consultants’ report states that officers who are not accommodated in government quarters should receive a housing allowance irrespective of whether they are permanent and pensionable. If government complied with that report, how did it omit contract teachers and other contract employees?” the legislator asked.
He also raised concerns over overtime payments for government drivers, particularly those working during Umhlamga Reed Dance, claiming some were have not yet received their overtime salaries of the previous financial year.
“It is shocking that government drivers are still owed last year’s salaries, while some companies doing business with government are paid in advance,” an MP said.
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