E1.4M LOST IN FAILURE TO STAGGER PAY

LOBAMBA – The PAC heard how failure by government officials to stagger salaries of civil servants who went on study leave had cost the taxpayer E1.4 million.

When government officials go on study leave, they are not supposed to be paid full salaries. The process of suspending the salaries is known as staggering.
The Public Accounts Committee said it was appalling that human resources managers were not executing their duties efficiently, resulting in several officials being paid full salaries while on study leave, much against general orders.

Under Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service Nhlanhla Mnisi said the issue of failing to stagger salaries of public servants was being looked into together with the various ministries.

He said some of the concerned civil servants had been informed that it was an anomaly to pay them while they were on study leave, and they consented to deductions in their salaries to pay back the money. “As for those from the Ministries of Health and Education, the money is being recovered and we will furnish the PAC with proof,” he said.

However, he said there was one exception where an instrument from the Ministry of Health said in the interest of preventing brain drain of doctors, a doctor who went to study in Australia did not have their salary deducted. He promised to provide the PAC with such an instrument preventing the staggering of the doctor’s salary.

On another note, the PAC heard how the in-service training was being abused in government, as some people benefiting were not even civil servants.
MP One Boy Zikalala said the officials in the ministry were sleeping on the job while government lost money. MP Roy Fanourakis also shared a similar sentiment, saying there was a lack of seriousness in the ministry.

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