MBABANE:Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze has refused to appear before the Consultant reviewing salaries for eSwatini Government employees and as a result, soldiers might not receive a salary increment.
Lot Vilakati, the Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers(SNAT) confirmed that, they were informed that, the Army has been refusing to present before the Consultant and this might delay or leave out the soldiers.
“The Consultant is consulting and inviting all Government employees to make a presentation but authorities of the Army did not make any presentation. This means, soldiers might be left out or be included in a decision as per the presentation of the other security institutions,” said the SNAT Secretary General.
But Sergeant Dumsile Khumalo, the Secretary General of the Royal Eswatini Police Staff Association(REPOSA) told this Swaziland News that, in the absence of a representative, the Army might be included in a decision as per the presentation of the police and/or Correctional Services.
“If we receive 2% that would mean even the soldiers will receive the same percentage because they have no one to negotiate on their behalf,” said the REPOSA Secretary General.
National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango has been vigorously participating in the negotiations with other members of the Police Executive Command.
It is alleged that, Army Commander Moses Mashikilisane Fakudze said, “soldiers were comfortable with the current salaries”.
Responding to this Swaziland News on Monday evening, Army Spokesperson Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo said she was not aware that, soldiers as legitimate employees of the State, were not represented in the salary negotiations, she then promised to verify with the relevant Department and respond accordingly.
“The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force Public (UEDF) Affairs Office is incognizant of the matter at hand as legitimate employees of the State.The Public Affairs Office would have to verify with the applicable department before address”, said the Army Spokesperson.
Army Spokesperson Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo(pic:supplied).