Govt disbands research unit

Takunda Maodza Assistant News Editor
GOVERNMENT has disbanded the Standards Development and Research Unit (SDERU) after it emerged the division was not on the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology’s structure, nearly three years after it was established. The unit is also not part of the civil service structure although it was funded to the tune of US$2 million annually by the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund and had 12 senior researchers, some of whom received salaries from Government and Zimdef.

The unit was reportedly created by Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Secretary Dr Washington Mbizvo.
Sources in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology claimed the unit was no more than a clever money-spinning venture.

“SDERU was tasked with developing profiles and standards of performance by industry. From the standards it was expected to develop curriculum for manpower training in the technical and vocational education sector,” said a source.

“It was also meant to be used in the assessment of industrial training and trade testing. They took personnel from Zimdef and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology. They drew money from Zimdef and were initially given US$3 million,” the source.

“Those who came from the ministry were paid salaries by the Civil Service Commission and Zimdef. They were therefore getting two salaries yet you cannot pay a civil servant a salary or allowance without the knowledge of the Civil Service Commission as it amounts to dual employment,” he said.

Documents in The Herald’s possession show that Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Minister Dr Olivia Muchena announced the dissolution of the SDERU a month ago.

“After analysis of previous briefings and documents submitted to my office, I noticed that SDERU failed to provide a breakdown of its operational expenses. It is common cause the Standards Development and Research Unit (SDERU) is not part of the Civil Service Commission structure and its existence ultra vires,” she said in a memo.