Faith Duri
Zaka district pensioners are pleading with responsible authorities for them to open a People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB) office in their district because they are moving from Zaka to Chiredzi or Masvingo to collect their money which is costly to them considering the amount of their pay outs.
Speaking to TellZim News, chairperson for Zaka pensioners Joseph Dakwa said one of their major issues as pensioners is travelling to Chiredzi or Masvingo POSB to collect their money.
“Government gave pensioners US $50 cushion money but our major complain now is that the only place we are able to collect that money is in Chiredzi or Masvingo. Bus fare is US$ 10 to and from, so we are pleading with responsible authorities to allow us to get our money at the local POSB.
“This doesn’t only affect pensioners in Zaka, but all pensioners who are travelling to get their money as the move is costly,” said Dakwa.
He also added they once talked to responsible authorities about this matter but they promised to look into the matter until now.
“I have spoken to the local post master Furanai Mateta and he said they once opened the facility but all of a sudden the authorities withdrew it and l also spoke to Public Service Commission (PSC)’s Vitalis Makuza who said he spoke to the provincial POSB manager about this matter but he promised to look into it,” said Dakwa.
One source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Post office branch that was in Zaka did not close but rather moved to Jerera Growth Point.
“The post office moved from Zaka to Jerera growth point and also pensioners are moving to collect their money in Chiredzi or Masvingo POSB because services there are still limited, not all services are offered at Jerera growth point post office,” said the source.
Efforts to get a comment from the POSB regional manager in Masvingo were in vain as the phone went unanswered.