By Kwanele Dhladhla
Police officers will have to wait a little longer before receiving the long-awaited Phase II salary review.
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, in the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee report for Private and Cabinet Offices’ budget debate for the 2025/2026 financial year, disclosed that the review of salaries for Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) would be incorporated in the ongoing salary review exercise for all civil servants.
“The issue of Phase II for the affected categories in the Police Service is being dealt with by the Consultant engaged to review conditions of service and salaries for the entire public service inclusive of police.
We look forward to a resolution to this issue being made,” said Dlamini in the report that was tabled by Private and Cabinet Office House of Assembly Portfolio Committee Chairperson Mtfongwaneni Member of Parliament Nathi Hlophe on Thursday afternoon.
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Minister for Public Service, Mabulala Maseko, has already commissioned the salary review exercise in the public service.
When announcing the exercise, the said it had signed a contract with the consultant (Emergence Growth, partnering with a local company, Umelusi Capital) on July 1, 2024.
It was stated that the work towards the exercise had already commenced for a period not exceeding 12 months.
According to the Supplementary Appropriation Bill of 2025, which was approved by the Senate on Wednesday, the Ministry of Public will receive E19.9 million which will cater for payment of the tenderer undertaking the task.
According to a communiqué that was issued by the Ministry of Public Service, the process kick-started with job profiling.
The PM made the clarification that police officers would have to wait a little longer after MPs unanimously called upon Dlamini to implement the phase II salary review with immediate effect.
Lobamba MP Micheal Masilela said the PM, as minister responsible for REPS, should see into that the phase II salary increase gets implemented as ordered by the courts.
“You will not find peace before implementation of the phase II salary increase. Please give the police officers what they deserve,” submitted Masilela on Tuesday.
Mayiwane MP Khungankhosi Dlamini also concurred with Masilela to the effect the phase II salary increases should be implemented.
Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo applauded REPS for swiftly acting on crimes which include the Auto Teller Machines (ATM) bombings and facata scams together with other criminal activities.
He commended National Commissioner of Police (NATCom) Manoma Masango for visibility and personally being part of crucial operations aimed at eliminating crime.
However, he advised that the police officers eliminating crime needed to be motivated.
“I hope the two loan bills submitted to settle arrears will also incorporate implementation of the phase II salary review,” Khumalo submitted.
The Supreme Court last year ruled that found Circular No.2 of 2014 (Phase Restructuring of REPS and His Majesty’s Correctional Services) was binding to the parties.
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The Supreme Court directed that government should comply with and honour its commitment and undertaking as contained in the circular within reasonable time.
Circular No.2 of 2014 makes a provision for immediate salary increases for senior officers in both the police and Correctional Services in terms of Phase I.
Phase II was to benefit junior officers. However, only Phase I was implemented.
The Supreme Court also ordered that the intended disciplinary proceedings arising from or pertaining to Circular No.2 of 2024 and delivery of the petition in respect of terms of service were unlawful and should not proceed.
