... hopes cops who protested will be forgiven
MBABANE – Mayiwane Member of Parliament (MP) Prince ‘Khunga Nkosi’ Dlamini hopes that police officers who protested will be forgiven.
The officers, acting through their association, had staged a march to demand an audience with their superiors over no increase in their salaries. However, this move seemed to have backfired, resulting in the suspension of the protesting officers.
It was reported that an order was issued to halt the salaries of the suspended officers, causing additional distress. However, the officers decided to take legal action and approached the court to challenge the salary suspension. About 24 police officers were suspended as a result of the protest.
Reinstated
Their efforts paid off and their salaries were eventually reinstated. Despite this positive outcome, the police officers remained suspended from their duties.
During his parliamentary submission, MP Dlamini highlighted the significant salary disparity between junior and senior police officers.
He emphasised that the salaries of senior officers had been increased, while the salaries of junior officers were left untouched, thus creating a substantial wage gap within the force, according to the MP.
The MP said the salary discrepancies had fuelled discontent within the police force, leading to the officers’ decision to voice their grievances through a protest. He said he hoped that one day, the officers would be forgiven for protesting.
Speaking figuratively, Dlamini stated that this was tantamount to having a parent who has many children but buys shoes only for some and not the others.
He said such an incident could cause some outcry. He said this was similar to what cause the police officers to protest.