BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The third quarter report of the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) shows a surplus of E1.6 billion to December 2022 and an Accumulated Surplus of E1.5 billion from April 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023.
This was revealed in the report of the Ministry of Public Service portfolio committee on the debate of the ministry’s annual performance report for the financial year 2023/24.
The report revealed that total assets for the third quarter amount to E30.6 billion and are currently at E31.8 billion for the period up to January 31, 2023.
“This is an increase as they amounted to E30.2 billion for the Financial Year 2021/22. We believe that it will further improve in the fourth quarter of the current financial year,” read the report in part.
Worth noting is that at the time of compiling the Ministry’s report, the actual accumulated expenditure stood at E132 157 112 40 against E189 756 311 00 which has been released to-date.
Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko said the Committee will appreciate that during the period under review, the Ministry has continued to pursue its mandate and made progress towards achieving set targets under the prevailing financial challenges faced by the country and the world at large. “Honourable Chairperson, may I take this opportunity once again to thank the Honourable Committee and pledge my undivided commitment to the Vision and Mission of the Ministry and the nation at large. Lastly, the Ministry is requesting the following budget: E212 983 341 00 to be approved,” he said.
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SERVICE HAS FACILITATED APPROVAL OF 46 WAIVERS
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The Ministry of Public Service has facilitated the approval of waivers for the filling of critical positions in the public service. A total of 46 waivers were approved by the cabinet.
This information was revealed in the report of the Ministry of Public Service portfolio committee on the debate of the ministry’s annual performance report for the financial year 2023/24.
The Ministry has facilitated the approval of waivers for the filling of critical positions in the public service during the period under review.
A of 46 waivers were approved by the Cabinet resulting in three 3 557 positions being filled, upon this the ministry continued to pledge its commitment to the country’s strategic direction and programme of action.
When presenting the report the Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko said, the Ministry is still committed in ensuring a decline in Government’s Wage Bill, by implementing establishment circular No. 3 of 2018 which sought to freeze the filling of vacant posts; the creation of new posts; as well as promotions within Government Ministries unless there is prior authorisation by Cabinet.
“The actual number of civil servants on the payroll since the implementation of the Circular continues to drop. Over the period under review, the number of public servants has dropped on an average of -2.8 per cent. This translates to an average decrease of 1 258 public servants,” said Maseko.
In addition to that, the Minister said his ministry has completed the Management Audit exercise across Government, save for the Ministry of Education and Training which will be completed in the next financial year due to its size.
“The Honourable Members will remember that the main objective of the exercise is to align existing human resources, organisational structures, skills and capabilities to ministerial strategic goals and objectives with a view to increase efficiency and effectiveness, as well as ensure optimum utilization of available resources. Once the Management Audits Report has been completed, Establishment Circular No. 3 of 2018 will then be reviewed,” he said.
