adminPrime Minister Tsvangirai comes under fire over salaries
By Makhosi Sibanda
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday came under fire from angry civil servants in Gwanda who confronted him for failing to honour his promise to review their paltry salaries.
The Prime Minister was further humiliated by some of the participants during a meeting, as they demanded that he clarifies his marriage to Ms Locadia Tembo.
The civil servants gave Mr Tsvangirai a torrid time during a briefing before the tour of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic in the Matabeleland South provincial capital, Gwanda.
“Mr Tsvangirai we want to know what happened to the promise you made to us with regard to our salaries.
“We have waited for you to deliver as per your promise, but to no avail and in the end we wonder if your promise was genuine,” said one civil servant who declined to be named.
He further demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister on what was being done with reviewing their salaries, as they were no longer motivated, drawing applause from other civil servants who were present.
As the Prime Minister was making his way to tour the institution, a sizeable crowd blocked him with a man quizzing him on his marriage to Ms Tembo.
Bulawayo ready for Zanu-PF conference
Chronicle Reporter
DELEGATES to the Zanu-PF 12th Annual National People’s Conference will start arriving in Bulawayo on Wednesday ahead of the official opening of the event by President Mugabe on Thursday.
In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, Zanu-PF National Secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa said the party was geared for the conference which would be held at the
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds.
“The party has done all the preparations for the conference. The Central Committee approved the programme and itinerary for the event yesterday,” said Cde Mutasa.
“Delegates would be coming to Bulawayo on Wednesday for the official opening on Thursday. All arrangements have been approved and there is no problem.”
Civil servants give Govt ultimatum
Chronicle Reporter
CIVIL servants have given the Government until 31 December to communicate its position on salary increases, failure of which they will take unspecified action.
In separate interviews yesterday, civil servants representatives said they were losing patience with their employer who has been silent on the issue since the announcement of the 2012 budget by Finance Minister Tendai Biti on 24 November.
They also demanded back pay for the seven months that they worked without salaries, surviving on US$100 allowances during the pre-dollarisation period.
They said if Government finally announces that there would be no increase, it would be an irresponsible action.
The lowest paid civil servant is drawing a gross monthly salary of US$253.
President affirms commitment to higher education institutions
by Freedom Mupanedemo
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday said economic sanctions imposed on the country by the West and the discord in the inclusive Government continue to derail
VP Nkomo sources equipment for Mat’land tertiary institutions
Chronicle Reporter
VICE-President John Landa Nkomo has sourced four two tonne tipper trucks, 10 wheel ploughs, 10 water pumps, 12 tonnes of maize seed and two tonnes of sorghum seed with a combined value of thousands of United States dollars for four tertiary institutions in Matabeleland region.
Canadian firm scoffs at indigenisation drive
Harare Bureau
CALEDONIA Mining Corporation has scoffed at Government’s economic empowerment drive, branding indigenisation regulations a political gimmick to lure votes for Zanu-PF.
AirZim passengers ferried in trucks
Harare Bureau
PASSENGERS aboard an Air Zimbabwe morning flight to South Africa yesterday were ferried in trucks from the aircraft parking bays at OR Tambo International Airport after a ground services firm withdrew its services because of a debt.
Fifa to back Zifa on suspensions
From Petros Kausiyo in Gaborone, Botswana
ZIFA’S decision to suspend board members that would be under investigation has torched a storm.
Banda lied — Cosmas Nyoni
By Ricky Zililo
THE man at the centre of the referees’ controversy that rocked the Central Soccer League, Cosmas Nyoni, has refuted claims that he has never met the Zifa board member Gift Banda who is implicated in the scandal.
Young Warriors, Namibia share spoils
From Petros Kausiyo in GABORONE, Botswana
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