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MBABANE – Bucopho want government to resolve their remuneration that was left hanging in December 2020, where they were sidelined during the politicians’ salary adjustments.
They wondered which criterion was used when awarding the other politicians yet they also formed part of Eswatini politicians. They said since then they had not received any cent from the government. They selected a committee to attend to their concerns.
Nathi Shongwe, a member of the committee, said the King once said dialogue must begin at the constituency level, which was where they were based. He said it was their duty as bucopho to inform indvuna yenkhundla about what the people wanted, before informing Members of Parliament (MPs).
King
He encouraged government to do what the King said when he delivered the Speech from The Throne at Esibayeni.
He said bucopho was the heart of the people and, therefore, must not be taken for granted.
“The truth of the matter is that bucopho is the heart of the people in communities. We are the ones who mobilise the people at the community level during national elections. If over 300 of us are not happy, then what will happen to the upcoming 2023 national elections?” he wondered.
Shongwe said they had met with the Ministry of Finance, Cabinet as well as the Minster of Tinkhundla
Some members of the Committee pictured before going to meet the Ministry of Finance on the unresolved December 2020 politicians’ financial adjustments. (L-R) Nathi Shongwe, Phumaphi Dlamini,Joseph Dlamini and Dackie Dlamini. Administration and Development, David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, to enquire on why they were left out during the adjustments.
“We are not happy about what happened. Why is government sidelining us?” Shongwe asked.
Phumaphi Dlamini, who is also bucopho, said their meeting with Minister Ngcamphalala had a positive outcome as he visited all the four regions (Hhohho, Manzini, Lubombo and Shiselweni) gathering all their concerns.
Happy
She said they were happy about the vusela exercise.
She said feedback they received was that it was the Royal Commission that was supposed to deal with the matter.
“We were surprised when both the Ministry of Finance, as well as Cabinet, boldly told us that they were not in a position to attend to our issues. We are just seeing tactics here of trying to push us away,” she said.
Joseph Dlamini pleaded with government to deal with the matter as soon as possible as they were the ones who ensured that development succeeded in all constituencies.
He said they ferried citizens with their motor vehicles at times or buy food for the elderly with the little money they had.
“We work hard in our communities by doing various kind of work. The question is how will we work if we are not given the money we are requesting?” asked Joseph.
The bucopho criticised the MPs for their failure to support Minister Ngcamphalala in resolving the matter.
“MPs must not be spectators on this issue that is affecting us. Let them do something,” he said.