E1 million intended for retired
and disabled people in Swaziland is being given to King Mswati III to help pay
for his 50th birthday party.
The money has been donated
by the Swaziland National Provident Fund (SNPF) for the so-called 50/50 Celebrations
on 19 April 2018 to mark the King’s birthday and the 50th anniversary
of Swaziland’s Independence from Great Britain.
King Mswati rules Swaziland
as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch. Already all police
officers and soldiers
in the kingdom have had money deducted from their salaries to contribute to
the celebrations.
The Sunday Observer, a newspaper in Swaziland in effect owned by the
King, reported (25 March 2018) that initially SNPF had pledged E250,000 (US$21,000)
towards 50/50 but later upgraded the donation.
The SNPF was
established in 1974 as a retirement savings scheme, the main purpose of
which is to provide benefits for employed persons when they retire from regular
employment in old age or in the event of becoming incapacitated.
All employers of labour in Swaziland are required by
law to become contributing members of the fund, and must pay a contribution for
every eligible staff member. The employee’s share (one half of the stipulated
amount) is deducted from wages.
Spending on the 50/50 celebrations has already been
controversial. The Swazi Government is to pay US$7.5 million for a fleet of
luxury BMW cars to transport dignitaries on the day. The cost of the cars alone
bust
the US$1.7 million budget the government allowed itself for the
festivities.
See also
SOLDIERS
FORCED TO PAY FOR KING’S PARTY
50/50
CELEBRATION BUSTS BUDGET
POLICE FORCED TO PAY FOR 50/50 JUBILEE
CALL FOR CASH TO FUND 50/50 CELEBRATIONS
50/50: LEARN LESSON OF PAST DISASTER
TOWN
TIDIES UP FOR KING’S BIRTHDAY
https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2018/03/town-tidies-up-for-kings-birthday.html
No comments:
Post a Comment