BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – The long wait is finally over.
After months of consultations, calculations, and hopes pinned on each payroll run, Eswatini’s junior security officers are set to smile their way to the bank next week. Government has confirmed that Phase II of the long-anticipated salary adjustments will be implemented in the September payroll run, complete with backdated payouts under the beloved “dvuladvula.”
Minister Confirms the Good News
Speaking directly to Eswatini Positive News, Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg confirmed that junior security officers will indeed receive their Phase II payouts this month. His assurance puts to rest months of speculation and cements September as the turning point for thousands of officers who have been waiting for their promised adjustments.
What to Expect in Phase II
The adjustments cover junior officers in both the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS).
More than 13 000 officers will receive a 3% uplift, while just under 1 000 officers in specialized categories will benefit from up to 8% increases. Importantly, these increments include back pay, giving officers a meaningful financial boost.
Why September Matters
September has become a month of relief for many public servants. Alongside the civil service salary review payouts, the government has deliberately timed the Phase II adjustments to coincide with the “dvuladvula”—the eagerly awaited back-pay windfall that softens the pressures of school fees, transport, and groceries. This means that by the week of September 22–26, 2025, officers will see their boosted earnings land directly in their accounts.
Financial Responsibility Meets Recognition
While the wage adjustments represent relief for security officers, they also show government’s commitment to balancing recognition with fiscal responsibility. The Ministry of Public Service has confirmed that Treasury has ring-fenced about E230 million annually to sustain the new structure, ensuring the adjustment is not just a once-off promise but a permanent realignment.
Beyond the Numbers
For officers who have spent long nights guarding communities, working through storms, and missing holidays with their families, these increments are more than just figures on a payslip. They mean school fees can be paid without loans, groceries can be bought without juggling, and families can breathe easier. Most importantly, it restores dignity and confidence to the household budget.
The Bottom Line
Phase II is complete. Implementation begins with September’s payroll. With Minister Rijkenberg’s confirmation, junior security officers can look forward to smiling their way to the bank next week. This is recognition, relief, and reward for service well rendered.
