![Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo with Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini. [Courtesy pic]](https://www.eswatiniobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Alphy.jpg "Alphy")
The Industrial Court has placed government under pressure to account for its failure to pay government employee Alpheous Nxumalo, ordering it to table a concrete offer regarding his salary by close of business tomorrow.
Judge Abande Dlamini questioned government’s delay in complying with an earlier ruling on Nxumalo’s salary, raising concerns over continued non-payment despite court intervention.
Nxumalo is represented by lawyer Khumbulani Msibi while government is represented by lawyer Ndabenhle Dlamini.
During proceedings, Judge Dlamini questioned government’s legal representative on when the ruling ordering Nxumalo’s salary payment was issued and why it had still not been implemented.
In response, government lawyer told the court that the parties had engaged on the matter and that an employment decision had been communicated informally.
He claimed that the employment decision was no longer valid and could be terminated, stating that this had been indicated in a notice of intention.
However, Msibi disputed this, telling the court that while such indications had been made, no formal communication had been received regarding any termination of Nxumalo’s contract or salary arrangement.
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“We have not yet received any formal communication regarding the termination of Nxumalo’s contract,” he said.
He further argued that despite repeated engagement, government had failed to reduce its position into writing, leaving the matter unresolved since January 21.
Judge Dlamini questioned why there had been continued delay, reminding government of previous cases where court orders had not been complied with.
He raised concern over what appeared to be ongoing defiance of judicial authority and questioned whether senior officials should be called to account.
The judge further challenged government’s intentions, asking whether it was deliberately delaying the matter or genuinely pursuing settlement discussions.
The government lawyer told the court that discussions had taken place with Msibi and that both parties had agreed the matter be postponed while settlement negotiations continued.
Msibi, however, disputed this, insisting there was nothing formally before them and that any alleged offer must be tabled in writing.
He also questioned what had delayed resolution of the matter since January.
After hearing submissions, Judge Dlamini ordered government to table its offer by close of business the following day and directed that the matter return to court on April 21.
“You don’t talk about friction between government and the Judiciary. You want to see what will happen?” the judge remarked, questioning government’s approach to compliance.
