Home | News | EX-DPM LOSES E1.7M CAR, E55 581 MONTHLY BENEFIT

EX-DPM LOSES E1.7M CAR, E55 581 MONTHLY BENEFIT

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MBABANE – Former Deputy Minister Paul Dlamini’s appointment to Liqoqo will cost him dearly, but a huge gain to government.


This is due to the fact that the now Chairperson of the King’s Advisory Council will lose a top-of the range Mercedes Benz valued at E1.7 million, which he was entitled to get by virtue of being the former deputy prime minister.


The car benefit and other perks shall be taken away from him because he is now in gainful employment following his appointment by His Majesty the King to lead Liqoqo.


The Times of Swaziland reported on February 21, 2019 that the Central Transport Administration (CTA) had already procured the vehicle through Tender No.99 of 2018/2019. It had not been delivered at that time, and its precise price was fixed at E1 727 858.80.


The car, as per Finance Circular No.2 of 2013, was to be owned and maintained by government. Upon his death, it was to be sold to his estate at depreciated value.


According to Article 5 of the Circular, the former DPM, who once served as the Shiselweni Regional Administrator and Lubombo Regional Secretary, was eligible for other several benefits which included a monthly salary of E55 581.60.


Based on what the Circular stipulates, he will not be eligible to receive two salaries at the same time from the same source of fund.

Loses lifetime cash cow
It effectively means he will now depend on the pay from Liqoqo, which is around E50 000, excluding sitting allowances. He would have been given this salary until he dies. The E55 581.60 he was to get as a pensioner equates to 80 per cent of the basic salary he earned when he deputised for deceased Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini. 


Reads the clause which deprives the ex-DPM of his lucrative benefits: “In an effort to maintain the dignity of prime minister and deputy prime minister, this framework provides for the former prime minister and deputy prime minister, certain benefits to assist them respond to post parliamentary life.”


It then attaches strings to the benefits: “They will be eligible for these benefits unless they hold an appointive or elective position in government, to which a rate of pay is attached.”


One of the benefits for Dlamini, which government sources said would fall away as a result of his royal appointment, was the monthly salary of E55 581.60. Initially, he did not need to work for this money.


Another benefit he was to get from government is the provision of security, which was to be in line with his risk profile as determined by the national commissioner of police.


Attorney General Sifiso Mafelenkhosini Khumalo, popularly known as ‘Mashampu’, gave a prima facie analysis of the law because he did not have a copy of the Circular with him. Khumalo said it was true the ex-DPM’s benefits would not accrue because he would be in gainful employment, earning a salary. “The benefits he would have been entitled to in his capacity as the former DPM will just fall away,” he said.


It was not immediately established if he would revert to his old benefits when his term of office as a member of Liqoqo expires.

Bayethe, lauds ex-DPM


In an interview, the former deputy prime minister first saluted the King for the appointment: “Bayethe wenaWaphakathi!”  He then disclosed that he was aware that he would lose the benefits he was getting as the former deputy prime minister. He said it was important for him to put nationhood and citizenship first, adding that he purposed to serve the country as opposed to getting financial benefits.


Asked if the car had been delivered to him, he said it had not, and was not sure if government procured it. “I am aware that I am now not entitled to the benefits for former deputy prime minister, but what’s most important to me is to serve the country,” he said.
Percy Simelane, the Government Press Secretary, said there was nothing he could say because the Circular was self-explanatory. “Kindly read the Circular that explains the benefits,” he advised.


Washington Khumalo, the General Transport Manager, did not respond to eight telephone calls made to his phone yesterday.  The last call was made at 4pm. He was called in connection with the delivery of the car.


Makhosini Mndawe, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, did not respond to the calls as well.  He was called seven times, and the last call was made at 4:05 pm yesterday. He was telephoned to give clarity on what would happen to the car purchased for the former deputy prime minister.

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