LOBAMBA:Marwick Khumalo,the Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament(MP) came hard on Public Service Minister Mabulala Maseko, accusing him of playing double standards and avoiding to release the money due to State police officers as a salary increment under Phase two(2).
This traspired inside Parliament on Thursday during a debate of a report submitted by the Public Service Minister, the report was in response to a motion moved by Mayiwane MP Sicelo ‘KhungaNkhosi’ Dlamini.
The motion seeking to increase salaries for security officers, was seconded by Mhlangatane MP and Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga and subsequently passed by the entire House of Assembly.
Addressing the House of Assembly including the Minister through Speaker Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza, the Lobamba Lomdzala MP said, it was in the interest of the country for Parliament to discuss this issue and ensure that, police officers receive their money including the back-pay.
“The truth is; Government is owing these police officers including a back-pay and this, is contained in a Circular. When you owe someone you don’t behave like the Public Service Minister, you engage the person you are owing and explain how you will pay the money, you don’t run away while making endless excuses”, said the MP.
The Lobamba Lomdzala MP further warned that, the matter must not reach a point where police officers would decide to stay at home and refuse to work. He said money “is a sensitive issue and a person can do anything” to get his/her money.
“It is therefore,not proper for Cabinet to accuse us of inciting when we discuss this matter as if,Cabinet Ministers are the ones who love this country more than all of us. We were elected to be in this House and, we are within our duties to discuss issues affecting the electorate.In fact, those who keep quiet while avoiding this matter are inciting”, said the MP.
Khumalo further dismissed the Public Service Minister’s response suggesting that, Phase two(2) was implemented in 2022, he said that was not Phase 2 but Government was just negotiating with police officers to be patient while their money was being processed.
The Public Service Minister’s report was subsequently dismissed and/or rejected by the House of Assembly, Minister Mabulala Maseko was told to work towards releasing the money for the police and other security officers.
MP Marwick Khumalo(pic: Gov).