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KING GIVES COMMISSION POWERS TO REVIEW CIRCULAR NO. 2 OF 2013

By Alec Lushaba | 2018-05-26

His Majesty King Mswati III has given the commission the Terms and Conditions of Service for Members of Parliament, Statutory Boards and Commissions to review and mediate on any outstanding matter of controversial Circular No. 2 of 2013.

This is the circular that outraged people at Sibaya when they learnt that the outgoing prime minister’s benefits would include a monthly salary of a sitting PM and be given a government house valued at E5 million.

The gazette issued by the Finance Minister Martin Dlamini this week reveals that the commission shall review the terms and conditions of service for politicians of the 10th Parliament, Statutory Boards and Commissions including examining outstanding issues relating to the 10th Parliament.

The King has given the commission on or before August 22nd 2018 to have finished its work.

This he did when he met the commission to give it his blessings last week.

The seven member Royal Commission is led by Phil Mnisi and was announced by the Prime Minister Dr. Sibusiso Dlamini in March. Other members of the commission are senior lawyer Sdumo Mdladla, who serves as its secretary, Dr. Sikhomba Gumbi, Nomathemba Hlophe, Kobla Quashie, Mvuselelo Fakudze and Joe Shilubane.

Dlamini had hinted then that the commission should deliver its report by the end of May, but due to other pressing royal duties they were not able to even start officially until they have met with the King. The gazette reveals that the commission reports to no other person than His Majesty the King.

They have been given at least three months to complete their job, hence the deadline of August to deliver its report and recommendations.

The terms of reference for the commission are as follows;(a) Develop the terms and conditions of service of the 11th Parliament, Statutory Boards and Commissions, taking into account among others –

(i) role, status, duties, functions and responsibilities of relevant public office bearers

(ii) the affordability of different levels of remuneration of political office bearers;

(iii) the current principles and levels of remuneration in society generally;

(iv) the allowance for the effect of inflation;

(v) the resources available to the state;

(vi) the remuneration structure of the private sector and public sector, including state-owned entities; and

(vii) any other factor that the commission may consider relevant.

(b) review the terms and conditions of service of politicians of the 10th Parliament, Statutory Boards and Commissions including examining outstanding issues relating to the 10th Parliament.

(c) Mediate in any dispute regarding the circular that sets out the recommendations of the commission on the respective terms and conditions of service;

(d) Recommend policies and guidelines, where necessary, in relation to any of the terms and conditions; and

(e) Exercise any other function as may be necessary for the attainment of the above functions.

The gazette further gives the commission an extension not exceeding three months in an event the August deadline is not met.

Commission chairman Phil Mnisi confirmed that they have been officially commissioned by His Majesty the King recently and they are now ready to set the ball rolling.

“Due to pressing royal and national duties the commission was unable to start its work when it was announced by the prime minister, but everything has been sorted and we are ready to start,” he said. The King appointed the Phil Mnisi led commission in March following concerns at Sibaya with regards to Circular No.1 of 2013.

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