… as workers go for two months without salaries
By Moses Ziyambi
Masvingo City Council employees are in for a bad time this festive season as they have not yet received their November and December salaries, Tell Zimbabwe can reveal.
The City council is currently locked in a legal wrangle against some of its former employees over a $3,5 million debt owed to workers in a salary dispute dating back to 2008.
“It’s true we have not received our November salaries as yet. Most of us can barely survive as we don’t have enough money for rentals and basic grocery,” said a municipal police officer who refused to be named.
“We are worried that we are approaching the New Year without any money. That means we would be owed two months salaries at the beginning of 2015 if we don’t get paid now,” added the employee.
Earlier this year, it was reported that council had blown nearly a million dollars on hired vehicles for its senior officials within a period of 17 months.
When contacted for comment, Masvingo City Council Mayor, Cllr Hubert Fidze confirmed the existence of outstanding salaries.
“We have always been behind with salaries for some time now. We are one month behind so we are currently working on November salaries,” he said.
He blamed the late payment of civil servants and delays in giving them their bonuses as worsening council’s financial position.
“Civil servants are not being paid on time so they cannot pay for their services and rates on time. This in turn affects our ability to pay our workers on time,” said Fidze.local
