BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
LOBAMBA– Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP) Welcome Dlamini has called for an investigation into the prevalence and administration of garnishee orders and related deductions from the salaries of civil servants.
Dlamini has moved a motion in the House of Assembly calling on the Minister for Finance to investigate the deductions and table a comprehensive report before Parliament within 90 days.
The motion, listed as Private Members’ Motion 34/2026 in the Notice Paper, seeks to establish whether all garnishee deductions processed through the Government payroll are supported by valid court orders.
It further calls for the investigation to determine whether affected civil servants are given adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard before deductions are effected.
According to the motion, the investigation should also examine whether appropriate safeguards are in place to verify the authenticity, accuracy and outstanding balances of garnishee orders submitted by creditors or their legal representatives.
Dlamini said the investigation should also consider whether salary deductions leave affected civil servants with sufficient means to reasonably maintain themselves and their dependants.
The motion calls for the Minister for Finance to recommend appropriate administrative policy or legislative measures to strengthen the verification and administration of garnishee orders on the Government payroll.
It further seeks measures to ensure that no civil servant suffers an unlawful, erroneous or unexplained deduction from their salary.
Garnishee orders generally provide a mechanism through which money owed by an individual can be recovered from funds due to that person, including through deductions from salary.
The motion places emphasis on the administration and verification of such deductions where they are processed through the Government payroll.
Dlamini is the MP for the Mbabane East Inkhundla.
The motion was seconded by Mayiwane MP Sicelo Prince Dlamini, popularly known as KhungaNkhosi.
The proposed investigation comes through Parliament’s Private Members’ Motions.
The motion does not itself establish that garnishee deductions currently being processed through the Government payroll are unlawful or erroneous, but seeks an investigation into their administration, verification and impact on affected civil servants.
If adopted by the House, the motion would require the Minister for Finance to report back to Parliament within 90 days.
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(Courtesy Pic)
