Zanu PF, MDC clash over civil service audit

Daily News

By Tonderai Kwenda, Chief Writer

10 May 2011

There are reported differences between Zanu PF and MDC ministers over the implementation of a crucial civil servants audit to establish the extent to which the government is staffed by ghost workers.

Different government ministers whose ministries are affected by the outcome of the audit told the Daily News in separate interviews that there is a dispute in the interpretation of the findings.

The Minister of Education Sports and Culture, whose ministry has been the hardest hit by intermittent strike actions said the implementation of the audit recommendations appeared to be in dispute.

“I have seen the report prepared by Ernest and Young. It has already been tabled in cabinet and appears to have been bogged down in cabinet,” said Education Minister David Coltart without revealing the actual nature of the differences.

“I am not sure what exactly is happening but perhaps the Minister of Public Service will.”

The skills audit concluded that there are 75 273 ghost workers and recommended that they be removed from the government payroll raising hopes of government workers that money saved from the process might start trickling into their pockets.

However, four months after the report was made public the government is yet to implement its findings.

Hard pressed civil servants have promised to embark on a massive strike if government does not increase the salaries of the depressed civil servants.

Coltart said the slow implementation of the audit is having an effect on the operations of government.

“The audit has a direct bearing. It’s clear that there are workers who should not be in government employment although the resuscitation of the economy is the ultimate solution,” said Coltart.

The Minister of Public Service, Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said “nothing” has been done about the issue.

“Nothing is going on but it’s a process. These things take time,” said Mukonoweshuro.

Asked whether there were problems among ministers of Zanu PF and MDC over the implementation, he said “I am bound by the official secrets act and there are things I can’t say.”

The Minister of Youth, Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Saviour Kasukuwere whose ministry stands at the centre of accusations of hiring ghost workers said, “Something is happening but where have you ever seen a ghost working for the government.”

The Public Service Commission (PSC) which runs the administrative aspects of public employees has previously said civil servants audit made “unsubstantiated” claims of the discovery of ghost workers.

If the process of implementation was to be put into motion, it is the PSC which has to implement any cabinet directives on plugging off ghost workers.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says it remains concerned by the lack of implementation of the findings of the skills audit.

“We are concerned by the lethargic manner in which government is handling this matter. It’s a reflection of the mediocrity in government especially the Zanu PF side,” said Lovemore Matombo the ZCTU President.

“Money might be going to unofficial structures. It’s a show that Zanu PF has something to hide.

“They regard themselves as senior partners and don’t want that issue discussed.”

Raymond Majongwe whose Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has in the past held meetings with officials from the Ministry of Public Service over the same issue, said the issue was not being treated with the urgency it deserves.

“The issue might be the least to be discussed in cabinet because they are failing to acknowledge the importance of this issue.

“Nobody must be paid for doing nothing but the problem is that Zanu PF is defending its own people,” said Majongwe.