adminCivil servants decide to go on full-scale strike
Herald Reporter
CIVIL servants have resolved to embark on a full-scale strike and will meet in Harare today to map out the modalities. This comes after Finance Minister Tendai Biti last week rebuked them for demonstrating against poor salaries and working conditions.
Today’s meeting is also expected to end internal squabbles that have hit civil servants unions over the appointment of a new Apex Council chairperson.
The civil servants’ unions yesterday said they will start the strike at the beginning of the next school term.
Schools close on Thursday and the unions’ leaders said they will take advantage of the holidays to start mobilising their members.
Teachers make up the bulk of the civil servants.
The Apex Council brings together the Public Service Association, the Zimbabwe Teachers Association, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, the Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and the College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe.
Zimta chief executive Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said at today’s meeting they will strategise on how to pressure Government into acceding to their demands.
“Tomorrow (today) is a day for strategising. We are going to mobilise our people such that we open schools geared up for the strike,” he said.
New law to nail MPs over CDF
Felex Share Herald Reporter
Legislators who looted Constituency Development Funds face a jail term of up to five years if a Bill being concluded by the Government to punish the offenders sails through.
Those who assist the legislators to misappropriate the funds will also be held accountable and face a similar jail term.
The new law will also establish a board that will govern the CDF.
Government has been failing to nail Members of Parliament who abused the funds as there was no law spelling out penalties.
Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs permanent secretary Mrs Virginia Mabhiza said in an interview last week that they were making final consultations with other stakeholders on the new law.
The stakeholders being consulted include the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Mrs Mabhiza said the new law would guide the administration of the CDF.
“We have stepped up our efforts and the Bill will soon go to Parliament before it becomes an Act,” she said.
“We are having final discussions with stakeholders, but the Bill now has a penalty section that is going to nail looters of the funds.
‘Principals have final say on draft constitution’
Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
Principals in the inclusive Government will have the final say on the draft constitution to be tabled at the second all stakeholders conference scheduled for next month.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said in an interview yesterday that recommendations on amendments would be brought to the principals for a final draft.
The three political parties to the GPA are already meeting separately to come up with their positions on the new charter.
Already the Zanu-PF Politburo, which met on Friday and is scheduled to hold another meeting on Wednesday, has said there should be some amendments on certain clauses of the draft.
The MDC formations also had a look at the document and recommended its adoption.
The MDC-T national executive is expected to forward the recommendation to the national council set to meet on Friday.
But MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said political parties should not be allowed to open new issues on the draft constitution.
He said any objections should be brought to the second all stakeholders conference.
Cde Gumbo said the suggetion seemed to indicate that Mr Mwonzora was not aware of the process.
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‘DeMbare must be punished’
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
FORMER Highlanders tear away winger Rahman Kutsanzira will walk into Rufaro Stadium this afternoon with a double mission, to win the Harare derby and make sure that Dynamos are heavily punished for denying Highlanders a win at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday.
Banks to be compelled to pay interest on deposits
Harare Bureau
GOVERNMENT is working on amendments to the Banking Act to compel banks to pay interest on deposits and set limits on interest rates to be charged on loans.
Pool team leaves for national finals
Sports Reporter
TEN players leave this morning to represent Bulawayo at the national finals of the Carling Black Label Black Ball Pool competition in Harare tomorrow.
Bev’s show stirs hornet’s nest
Saturday Leisure Reporter
THE Bev and Sexy Angels show that was held last week in Bulawayo at the Basement Night Club has stirred a hornet’s nest.