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The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Mrs Pretty Sunguro, said she was not aware of the development, but representatives of civil servants confirmed members got the bonuses.
“I did not know about it but can you put your questions in writing and we will respond accordingly,” said Mrs Sunguro.
A snap survey conducted by Chronicle in Bulawayo confirmed civil servants received different amounts of bonuses ranging between $200 and $1 000 depending on one’s grade.
However, the bonuses have drawn the ire of civil servants’ representatives who said the money had caused disharmony among its members.
Teachers were paid on Tuesday and some of them found a “lump sum” in their accounts while some nurses who were paid yesterday also confirmed there was extra money in their salaries.
“When we saw that there was extra money, we thought the Government had started upgrading workers and we then later learnt that some people from our department received performance based bonuses.
“Some even received theirs last month. Some got about $1 000. Those who got the money have spent more than two years at work and have been upgraded,” said a civil servant from the health sector.
Sources from the civil service said the development was common after assessment and upgrading of workers by the Government.
Another civil servant said: “Some got $200, some $250 while others got about $300. We did not know what the money was for but heard that it was bonus for performance. We are not sure whether it would be a continuous thing or it was just for this time.”
Contacted for comment, Apex Council president Mrs Tendai Chikowore confirmed the bonuses, but said there was no communication from the employer, the Public Service Commission (PSC), about the money.
She said the bonuses had brought disharmony rather than joy to the civil servants.
“We just heard from members who were phoning our offices inquiring. We are not yet sure whether it is across the civil service or teachers because it was mostly teachers who were phoning,” said Mrs Chikowore.
She said it was not yet clear whether the bonuses were performance related because under normal circumstances, civil servants would be notified and complete some forms before they get the money.
“No-one filled the forms. This money is shrouded in suspicion because some low grade staff received bonuses way higher than those in higher grades, which is why many were calling our offices because they know each other in terms of how they are rated,” said Mrs Chikowore.
The civil servants boss said they convened a meeting as Apex on Wednesday to discuss the issue and agreed to write to the PSC for clarity.
She said unions would also carry out surveys among their members to establish the situation.
“We are yet to establish with the commission. We discussed the issue and agreed that we write to the commission to seek clarity. What I can say is that whatever this money is for, it is causing disharmony because people are not clear what it is for.
“While some might be happy that they received the money, it seems there is now a lot of confusion about it because of the overwhelming complaints we are getting,” said Mrs Chikowore.
She castigated the way the bonuses had been paid, saying there was no transparency.
Mrs Chikowore said the bonuses would not stop them from pushing for a salary increase.
“If really that was performance based bonuses, it is not a new thing as it used to happen but there was transparency as members would receive notification prior to that. We are not saying people should not get bonuses but we want transparency because such a development raises eyebrows and for now we are not in a better position to explain anything,” she said.
Efforts to get a comment from the Minister of Public Service, Lucia Matibenga, were fruitless as her mobile phone was not reachable yesterday while her deputy, Andrew Langa, said he needed time to check the details.
Online Reporter