BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – Government has increased Alpheous Nxumalo’s exit package offer to E1.2 million from the previously offered E424 000.
Information reaching this publication is to the effect that government has increased its offer to E1.2 million to terminate its contract with Nxumalo. The latter has been placed on special leave by the employer pending finalisation of court processes.
However, since the offer is not yet written, Nxumalo’s attorney, Khumbulani Msibi, said his client cannot accept it in its present form. The new offer comes after Nxumalo rejected the initial one of E424 000, which was the equivalent of eight months of his E53 000 salary.
Meanwhile, Nxumalo has recently set the record straight in that contrary to popular belief, he was not fighting government.
In an interview with Eswatini Positive News, Nxumalo said his matter pending in court does not suggest any “fight” between him and Government.
“This is a matter between an employer and employee which is getting the necessary attention to be resolved without any further delays. To perceive, misconstrue an industrial action or employer – employee conflict resolutions mechanism which are legal and constitutional as “fight” is be narrow minded and shallow understanding of what is really at play here,” said Nxumalo.
He mentioned that he has worked tirelessly to defend and protect the Government, the Tinkhundla Democratic System and both the state and institution of the Monarchy at the risk of his very own life and of his family for far too long to turn around today and “fight” the same.
“This can never happen with Alpheous Mfana Nxumalo. We have an issue with the incumbent administration in my department – an issue which I believe will be resolved soonest than latest,” he said.
Nxumalo had reportedly rejected a government offer of E420,000 aimed at settling and terminating his fixed-term employment contract, insisting instead on full payment of his contractual benefits and outstanding salary arrears.
The rejection was formally communicated through Magagula Attorneys in correspondence addressed to the Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. Nxumalo’s legal team stated that, after carefully reviewing the proposal, he had instructed that it be rejected in its entirety, maintaining that the matter before the court is not about termination but the enforcement of an existing court order.
It was reported that Nxumalo’s legal representative, Msibi, argued that the E420,000 offer,believed to be equivalent to approximately eight months’ salary, falls outside the scope of the dispute currently before the Industrial Court. The legal team emphasised that Nxumalo has not been dismissed and therefore cannot be subjected to a termination-based settlement structure.
The dispute stems from ongoing contempt of court proceedings initiated by Nxumalo following the government’s failure to comply with a January 21, 2026 judgment ordering payment of his salary arrears. Despite proper service of the order, Nxumalo contends that no payments have been made, prompting him to seek enforcement through the courts.
In his application, Nxumalo cites senior government officials, including Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Bheki Bhembe, Civil Service Commission Executive Secretary Nhlanhla Mnisi, and Accountant General Nomsa Simelane. He is seeking their committal to prison for three months, alleging wilful disobedience of the court order.
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