THE failure by the cash-strapped government to pay civil servants their salaries can only be described as hypocritical, hence cannot be tolerated, especially as unnecessary foreign trips gobble millions of dollars that could have been used to pay all government employees.
No doubt, the move to postpone the pay dates for civil servants, especially teachers, has dampened their mood and indications are that they may hit back by mobilising for industrial action at the opening of the new school term in January.
It is most unfortunate that the government also failed to raise funds to pay its pensioners their statutory monthly payouts, that coincided with salaries and overdue bonus payments to the armed forces.
Yet, President Robert Mugabe last week held a State banquet, which gobbled several thousands of dollars for Cabinet ministers, service chiefs and top bureaucrats at State House, as if things are normal in the country.
What is regrettable is that the jamboree came soon after a Zanu PF conference, which was also indirectly bankrolled by the government.
To show that the Zanu PF government is unmoved, Mugabe quickly jetted out of the country for his annual vacation in the Far East.
A caring President would have stayed at home in solidarity with the suffering majority. But alas, Mugabe is a rare political breed, who is selfless only to his family’s cause.
Mugabe even had the audacity to thank Zimbabweans for their resilience in continuing to “swim in poverty” for his sake, while the elite “swim in opulence” at the poor’s expense.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The sooner Mugabe realises that the situation obtaining on the ground will soon explode, the better for him. Ironically, according to the 2016 National Budget estimates of expenditure, Mugabe had by September this year blown over $33,2 million on globetrotting, which money could have been used to pay off government debts, teachers’ salaries and bonuses or pensioners’ pay outs.
He had been allocated $17,3 million, but doubled the figure — a poor example for a leader who claims to represent the people.
The President must realise that teachers, like all other civil servants, also need money. Their salaries too must at least become competitive to attract and keep quality teachers.
The postponement of salaries for the education sector has no doubt downgraded teachers to second-class citizens in a country that boasts of up to 90% literacy rate. The government has clearly abandoned teachers by failing to pay their dues on time.
There is, therefore, need to build confidence in the sector if Zimbabwe is to keep top honours in the education sector in Africa and the world.
What is disturbing is that this is not the first time that the government has mistreated teachers at their time of need. Every year, government has faced challenges in paying teachers, especially after Zanu PF’s annual meetings.
Traditionally, teachers are paid their bonuses in November to enable families to do their shopping ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
But this year, teachers’ payments have been deferred to tomorrow, while other civil servants will get their salaries next week on January 5.
This is no longer amusing, as this has potential to stir unrest in the country. We call on Mugabe to show some seriousness in the way his government is dealing with the majority, otherwise the situation in the country is getting out of control, while he is holidaying with his close family in the Far East.
Mugabe and his party, Zanu PF, have failed their own test. Punishing teachers and the rest of the civil servants is in itself provocative, uncalled for, unfortunate and short-sighted for the Zanu PF leadership.
Teachers and their families must be duly rewarded for their service to the nation.
