The Herald
By Lloyd Gumbo
17th September 2009
Teachers’ unions have slammed the Prime Minister’s Office for allegedly running a “parallel Government” and rewarding civil servants perceived to be loyal to MDC-T with high salaries, with some labour representatives calling on President Mugabe to launch a commission of enquiry.
The outcry follows recent reports that the World Bank was paying salaries of as much as US$7 000 to staff in the PM’s Office when on average other civil servants were getting US$150.
Speaking in Gwanda last week, PM Morgan Tsvangirai told teachers to be patient with Government and should not expect the State to “squeeze blood out of a stone” to pay them and that all civil servants were getting the same salaries.
However, on Tuesday teacher representatives blasted the PM’s Office and called for equal treatment for all civil servants.
Zimta acting chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said the PM’s Office was “sowing discord in Government”.
“They are in this Government to administer one Government which rewards its employees equally without discriminating against others.
“We are not going to take off the foot from the pedal because there is evidence that Government can mobilise resources for us as proved by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“We cannot have other sections of the civil service being paid 20 times more than what others are getting. As far as we are concerned we are not going to be sympathetic because we see double standards in this Government.”
The Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe echoed similar sentiments, saying it was surprising that Government officials had told them that there was no money and yet funds had been mobilised for “a parallel Government”.
TUZ chief executive officer Mr Manuel Nyawo said: “We only requested for a substantial increment, but we were told that Government was financially constrained and yet they reward some civil servants on partisan lines.” Progressive Teachers’ Union secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe added his voice, saying the PM’s Office should not be seen to be favouring some employees.
“What is happening in the Prime Minister’s Office is unacceptable. We can’t have other civil servants earning more than others. We are toiling for the same Government, so we expect fairness from that Government. Politicians should be serious. They are paying lip service to our concerns while they are doing these things,” he said.
Mr Majongwe said they were awaiting clarification on the allegations and would make a statement once the facts were authenticated.
A faction of the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions said the “preferential treatment” was unacceptable.
In a Press statement yesterday, the faction’s acting secretary-general Mr Ephraim Tsvaringe said: “The union has learnt with utter disgust and indignation the reports that some officials in the Prime Minister’s Office are receiving preferential treatment in terms of salaries.”
Public Service Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said he could not comment on issues to do with “my superiors, the President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers’ Offices”. Minister Mukonoweshuro added that the Prime Minister would make a statement about the allegations.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart also said he could not comment because he knew nothing.
Mr Tsvaringe added: “While the majority of civil servants are earning US$150 per month others are being paid US$7 000. In this respect, we call on the authorities to conduct a commission of inquiry to unravel the facts and figures.
“Should this be established by the investigations then that would be fait accompli to confirm a parallel Government administration which can only be for a hidden agenda and invariably such a scheme can only be for a regime change; a stance which is treasonable and anathema to the sustenance of the inclusive Government.
“As a labour centre, we urge His Excellency the President to ask those responsible for such a fraudulent and unorthodox administrative practice to resign, failing which they should relinquish their duties.
“Their continued presence in the inclusive Government is a liability, which has serious political ramifications, a situation the country, can ill-afford.”
Mr Tsvaringe said the funds could be used to improve the welfare of all civil servants or be directed towards the revival of industry, which they said had been negatively affected by the illegal sanctions imposed by the West.