adminPamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
THE Government yesterday paid another round of bonuses to civil servants with members of the uniformed forces smiling all the way to the bank. Two weeks ago, some civil servants, including members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) received their bonuses, with those in the education sector, however, expected to get theirs next month.
A survey conducted by Chronicle yesterday revealed this time around it was the turn of police and prison officers to get their bonuses.
Long, winding queues were seen at a number of banks in Bulawayo with the civil servants waiting patiently to withdraw their bonuses.
“I have just withdrawn my bonus from my bank and I am happy. The only problem is that there is congestion at the bank and I had to spend many hours queuing for my money,” said a member of the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services who declined to be identified.
Mrs Simangele Nkiwane, whose husband is a police officer, applauded the Government for sticking to its promise.
“I am yet to withdraw our money from the bank. My husband received a message on his mobile phone confirming that there is a double salary in his account.
“I am grateful to the Government for sticking to its promise. This money will go a long way in catering for our needs. I hope that the salary increment that we were promised to get next year will definitely come,” she said.
Other police officers who spoke to Chronicle confirmed that their bonuses had been deposited into their accounts, although they were yet to withdraw the money.
The bonus was calculated using the existing tax thresholds due to delays in the announcement of the 2014 National Budget.
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa has said that the delays would pave way for wider consultations.
The Poverty Datum Line (PDL), which is the consumer basket for a family of six stands at $540 per month and this is the threshold civil servants set in their position paper.
The lowest paid Government worker is getting $297.
Civil servants failed to get a meaningful salary increment for the past five years due to policy inconsistencies by MDC-T ministers in the then inclusive Government.
The then Finance Minister Tendai Biti repeatedly told civil servants that Government was broke while the then Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga arrogantly evaded the workers in times of negotiations.
President Mugabe has indicated, on different platforms, that the new Zanu-PF Government prioritises the welfare of civil servants and would improve them.
Online Reporter