Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor
VETERANS of the liberation struggle who are employed by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) have requested that their recent promotion by the local authority, one grade up, be effective from January this year.
Last month, the local authority resolved that, in recognition of the veterans’ contribution to the country’s liberation, they would be granted the promotion.
The resolution followed a three-year engagement process with the veterans, who initially requested several perks, including residential, agricultural and commercial stands at concessionary rates.
However, the approved promotion was set to be effective only six months before the veterans’ reached retirement age, which is now set at 70 years.
According to a council confidential report, representatives of the veterans, who are employed by the local authority have since written to council, requesting that the promotion be effective January 2025 and also that it should not only be a monetary promotion but should also result in a physical upward movement.
“While we appreciate the council decision that the one grade up promotion should come six months towards retirement so that we benefit mostly in the form of pension pay-outs, we humbly appeal to council for the promotion to be with effect from 1 January, 2025 until retirement and also that the promotion should not be monetary, but also result in a physical upward movement in terms of the actual grade.
“Our fear is that if the benefit is to be accessed by the war veterans six months towards retirement, most of them may not live to enjoy that benefit, especially considering that the retirement age is now 70 years,” reads the report.
In their request, the veterans noted that in the Zimbabwe National Army, while initially they benefitted six months before retirement, now they benefitted for the entire length of service from the day the decision was reviewed.
“The acting human capital director did a survey from the central Government departments and other local authorities and he established that the Harare City Council resolved to promote by one grade up the serving war veterans plus an award of US$300 group life cover in 2023.
“Consequently, therefore, it is recommended that the City of Bulawayo consider granting the war veterans’ request, taking into account that the central Government and other local authorities have already done so, and further that council makes budgetary provision to absorb anticipated costs,” reads the report.
Meanwhile, according to the budgetary breakdown implications, the local authority reported that after the promotions, monthly, they will be paying the 30 identified war veterans a total of ZWG1,1 million, this translating to US$41 030.
Of the figure, the town clerk, Mr Christopher Dube will be getting the largest chunk, at ZWG270 212 (US$10 012) monthly salary. For six months, Mr Dube is anticipated to get ZWG1,6 million (US$60 076), annually; ZWG3,2 million (US$120 152) and over the next five years, it is anticipated that the town clerk will get ZWG16,2 million (US$600 760).
In total, the wage bill of the veterans in six months will be ZWG6,6 million (US$246 185), annually; ZWG13,2 million (US$492 371) and in five years; ZWG66,4 million (US$2,4 million).
According to the list provided, the most prominent veterans of the liberation struggle employed by the local authority are the Town Clerk, Mr Dube a retired Major from the Zimbabwe National Army, Zanu-PF Politburo member, Cde Elphas Tshuma and survivor of the Mkushi bombing of 19 October 1978 in Zambia, Mrs Moratiwa Valentine Gazi.
