MBABANE:Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has told junior police officers to back-off and forget about a salary increment under Phase two(2), triggering more tension as Parliament ordered Cabinet to release the money.
This allegedly transpired during a meeting held at the Cabinet Offices on Monday, the meeting, according to sources who were present, was attended by among others,National Commissioner Vusi Manoma Masango, senior police officers, Correctional Services officers and representatives of the Police Staff Association.
During the meeting, the PM allegedly spoke with arrogance saying, junior police officers will not receive any salary increment and that, their salaries were adjusted around 2008.He allegedly refused to entertain questions from those representing the junior cops saying “they must just take what he has just said as an order”.
The PM allegedly said, only Inspetors and Superintendents will receive a salary increament not junior police officers.
Reached for comments on Monday evening, Sergeant Dumsile Khumalo, the Secretary General of the Police Staff Association confirmed that, the said meeting was held at the Cabinet Offices but, referred further comments to Isaac Lukhele,the President of the Police Staff Association.
“I can confirm that the said meeting was held but the President of the Police Staff Association is the rightful person to comment as he was present during the meeting”, said the Secretary General.
Effort to reach the President of the Police Staff Association proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini declined to comment about the matter.
On another note, Government issued a Circular about ten(10) years ago promising to award junior police officers a salary increment under Phase 2, the police officers were subsequently dumped and the salary increment was never awarded but only senior cops received the money.
But the issue has triggered tension in Parliament as Members of Parliament(MPs) including Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo, Mayiwane MP Sicelo ‘KhungaNkhosi’ Dlamini and Mhlangatane MP Madala Mhlanga, demanded answers from the PM and Public Service Minister Mabulala Maseko.
On Monday evening after the President of the Police Staff Association reported the outcomes of the meeting to junior police officers through their WhatsApp Group, some officers suggested that, it’s time to stand-up and demand the money.
The PM was heavily criticized and described as a person who “wants to see police officers rebelling against the current Government”.
PM Russell Dlamini during a recent tour of Police Stations.