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Pensioners lobby group petitions Mugabe

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The Zimbabwe National Government Pensioners’ Organisation has requested President Robert Mugabe to be their patron and represent their interests

The Zimbabwe National Government Pensioners’ Organisation has requested President Robert Mugabe to be their patron and represent their interests at a time many of them are living like paupers despite having served the country for many years.

By Phyllis Mbanje

The organisation – which is made up of retired civil servants – has bemoaned lack of representation in government and is challenging amounts that pensioners were getting.

Faustina Nyachoto
Faustina Nyachoto

“We are living like destitutes and yet we have contributed immensely to the country. I served for 42 years as a civil servant, but the peanuts that I get are not adequate for my daily expenses,” Faustina Nyachoto, who is one of the co-founders of the organisation, which has over 400 registered members countrywide, said.

The organisation’s aim is to ensure that pensioners are empowered to improve their living standards and recognised for their service.

“Our patron should be the Head of State because he is also a civil servant. We are sidelined when Bills are being crafted and yet we have many challenges like access to affordable health services,” Nyachoto said.

Retired in 2000 on health grounds, Nyachoto was shocked when her medical aid renounced her membership in 2006 saying her salary was too little. “I was devastated because all of a sudden I had no medical cover. As one grows older, one’s health deteriorates and you need medical services more,” she said.

That fateful letter from the medical aid society galvanised her into action and after discussions with her husband decided to form an organisation that would champion their rights.

“We were registered in 2012 and from there on started advocating for a change in the way society and government dealt with our concerns,” she said.

Among their grievances is the lack of provisions to allow them to buy food, and use transport at subsidised prices.

“Anyone above 60 years of age is a senior citizen and we should be accorded discounts and special rates because our pensions are too meagre,” the former teacher said.

Through some of their efforts, they have so far managed to engage council and now senior citizens are discounted by 50% on rates.