Formulating hiring freeze aimed at killing nation - MPs

MBABANE – “The hiring freeze was formulated by people whose aim was to kill the nation.”

This was stated by Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday during the debate of the Ministry of Public Service’s first quarter performance report.

The hiring freeze came under fire as MPs decried the lack of review of Circular No.3, which was seen as not serving the civil service.

Ndzingeni MP Lutfo Dlamini stated that the freeze was a disastrous concept.

“We shouldn’t politicise the hiring of the civil service by requesting for a waiver from Cabinet. Why should politicians determine if there is a need for doctors?” questioned the MP.

He further said the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who stated that the country’s wage bill was too high, were educated people in airconditioned offices somewhere in New York, who had no understanding of what the country dealt with.

Lobamba MP Allen Stewart said the hiring freeze was against service delivery.

“Ministries say they apply for a waiver but there is no positive response from Cabinet. Why is there an option of this nature if it is not going to work?” said the MP.

Manzini Region MP Busisiwe Mavimbela questioned how the civil service was aligning Circular No.3 with management audit to see whether there was efficiency and work being done by government departments with vacant posts. She said the Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) Office was a perfect example as it remained a skeleton, with a lot of vacancies and acting posts.

Service

“Instituting Circular No.3 does not mean work should not be done and there shouldn’t be service delivery,” said Mavimbela.

KuMethula MP Derrick Masuku said the hiring freeze was detrimental in that people were being hired on contract basis and were struggling as they were not receiving certain benefits.

He further said Circular No.3 was formulated to kill the nation.

“Whoever came up with it intended to destroy this nation. This is so concerning because you find people on contracts replacing permanent employees,” said Masuku.

Hhukwini MP Nkhanyeti Ngwenya said the minister should go back to his counterparts and re-evaluate the hiring freeze.

“From page 22 to page 28 of your report you mention that there were cost-saving measures implemented. However, it is not detailed as to where the savings were redirected to ensure that it goes to where it can lead to productivity,” said the Hhukwini MP.

He said more than anything, service delivery should be prioritised by government and the hiring freeze should be assessed as to whether it was positively impacting service delivery.

“In any country you become a citizen of that nation if you are included in records through identity documents and birth certificates, but if that cannot be done due to shortage in staff, then a disservice is being done to the people,” said Ngwenya.

Sithobelweni MP Bhekitje Dlamini questioned what Circular No.3 stated about recent graduates; as he said there were graduates languishing at home as government was not hiring. He asked what then happened to these people.

Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane recommended to the MPs if they could move a motion to set the circular aside.

“There is not even one ministry which does not have vacant posts which are not crucial,” he said.

(Pics: Khulile Thwala) The Minister of Public Service, Mabulala Maseko, presenting his preamble before the ministry’s portfolio committee during his mInIstry’s first quArtEr pErFormAnCE rEport DEBAtE.