NOKWANE: “We are broke and hungry editor, please write a story so that our voices can reach the attention of the King”.
These were the sentiments of some soldiers who contacted this journalist, expressing their grievances regarding a delayed salary increment process.
It has been disclosed that,the plight of the soldiers has been worsened by food reduction,unlike in previous years, some junior soldiers are no-longer allocated food parcels for their families during off-days and this privilege is only enjoyed by senior officials.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Tuesday, King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane describes the grievances by the soldiers as a labour issue that should be addressed within the various government structures without involving the King’s name.
“Eswatini has the Industrial Relations Act(2000) as amended which serves as a guide for employment related challenges.We also have the Government General Orders. Both books clearly indicate how workplace grievances are addressed.The King’s name or office doesn’t appear in both.Former Ludzidzini Palace Indvuna Jim Gama once went on air to put it in no uncertain terms that workplace related issues should not be brought to the attention of the King but be dealt with by the official labour structures.We therefore feel this matter should follow that route. We believe issue of this type of food stoppages to families of soldiers can still be addressed within the Army Administrative Structures or Command”, said the King’s Spokesperson.
Responding to our questionnaire on the subject matter, Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo, the Spokesperson of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force(UEDF) denied the allegations suggesting that, some soldiers were deprived food parcels but maintained that, grievances involving salaries if any, must be addressed within the structures of the army.
“Your questionnaire is highly appreciated. Firstly, the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) would like to emphatically state that there are no abnormalities in as far as food rations are concerned.These are deceptive and misleading allegations.Now on the alleged salary demand by soldiers,the Defence Force would also like to bring it to your attention that there are designated structures within the establishment tasked with various issues of its personnel.None of this alleged salary demand grievance is in their records.Having said that, the UEDF Public Affairs Office wants to put it to your attention that administrative issues are dealt with by our mother Ministry while we remain operational”, said the Army Spokesperson.
But Sergeant Dumsile Khumalo, the Secretary General(SG) of the Police Staff Association confirmed that, soldiers were to benefit in what was supposed to be a salary increment and re-structuring process for all the security forces junior officers.
“The re-structuring was supposed to benefit all junior officers of the security forces even soldiers but that didn’t happen. It’s very unfortunate because soldiers don’t have an association that speaks on their behalf,” said the Secretary General of the Police Staff Association.
King Mswati.