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SENATORS ISAAC, SYLVIA TO GET REDUCED SALARIES

08/11/2018 02:07:00 BY STANLEY KHUMALO

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MBABANE – Political appointments mean a luxurious lifestyle for many; but not for Isaac Magagula and Sylvia Mthethwa.

Magagula, who was the National Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), has given up E5 358.42 per month from his salary by being appointed a senator.

The ex-national commissioner earned an annual salary of E620 117. This translates to a monthly salary of E51 676.42. However, following his appointment into Senate, Magagula is expected to get an annual salary of E555 816; that is if the incoming politicians would be paid using the scale of the 10th Parliament.

Senators, following an increment of 32 per cent to the remuneration that was set for them through Finance Circular No.2 of 2013, earned E46 318 monthly.
Also, the former national commissioner was chauffeured interchangeably in two BMW executive cars provided by the State. The ex-national commissioner has already relinquished the use of the vehicles. Magagula also has to vacate the executive government house that he was using while still leading REPS. Just like years back, Magagula will be working side by side with his wife Leckinah.

Losing

Another senator who will be losing a few benefits from her previous position is businesswoman Mthethwa. For the past five years, Mthethwa was the Regional Administrator for the Lubombo Region.
She was appointed into that position in 2013 and vacated it last month.
While being the Lubombo RA, the businesswoman earned E47 558.72 monthly. It was a position that was better remunerated than senators and deputy presiding officers.

Given that she is now a senator, Mthethwa will earn E46 318, which is E1240.72 less than her previous salary. She will also lose at least E100 000, which was contribution towards her car allowance.
Regional Administrators were offered E400 000 for car allowance, while senators get E300 000. Her motor vehicle insurance costs will also decline by E15 000 annually.

Regional administrators received E60 000, while senators receive E45 000 per year. Also, she was offered an official residence as per stipulates of Finance Circular No.2 of 2013. However, this is not afforded to senators but instead; she will get a housing allowance of E4 631.80 per month.
Her communication allowance will decrease from E5 000 to E1 000. Mthethwa will also lose the entertainment allowance that was set at E4 631.80 per month in her previous position. When contacted, Mthethwa said: “These are political assignments; so, money is not an issue.”