Former teachers get 21 days to pay back salaries

THE Government has given teachers who left the service in 2009 but continued getting paid 21 days to pay back the money.

The Government recently sent letters demanding repayment of amounts ranging between $900 to $1 500 to a number of former teachers around the country.

A number of teachers left for the so-called greener pastures, without formally resigning, resulting in the Government continuing to pay them.

A former teacher from Bulawayo who preferred anonymity said the system had failed them by demanding that kind of money within a short period of time.

He admitted that he simply left his teaching post without going through the normal formalities. "The letter was handed to me by my former school headmaster on Wednesday. I was requested to remit the amount I owe to the Government within 21 days from receiving the letter.

"Instead of the Government liaising with us in these times of economic hardships, it is demanding $1 033.

"Where do they expect me to get that kind of money? I earn $330 and l take home $280 before l even pay rentals, bills and school fees for my two daughters," said the man who is now employed by a Non-Governmental Organisation.

Another former teacher said she was unable to pay back the money because she no longer had any source of income. She said she was now dependent on her children for survival.

"As you can see I am old and l can not work any more. I rely on my children who also have got their families to look after. Asking for such an amount would be a burden," said the woman aged 60.

The teacher said although she had submitted resignation papers, the Government continued paying her for three months.

A copy of a letter, which was received by a former teacher aged 46 who left the education system in 2009, read: "Reference is made to the above surcharge that was raised against you due to late notification of termination resulting in over payment to you of salary and allowances for the period 03 February 2009 to 31 September 2009.

"You are therefore requested to remit the amount $1 200 to the provincial accountant Matabeleland North Province within 21 days from the date of this letter."

It had a date stamp of 17 April 2013 but the man said he received it this week.

"I had already been notified by my colleagues about the letter. The Government should be for the people and by the people, why can they not cancel the debts? I was forced to abscond work by the challenges I encountered as a family man in 2009, l had to search for greener pastures for survival," he said.

Contacted for comment, the outgoing Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart, said he was not aware of the development.

"I am not aware of this development. This directive did not come from my office, check with the Minister of Public Service," he said.
The outgoing Minister of Public Service, Lucia Matibenga could not be reached for comment.

Zimbabwe Teacher Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu confirmed the development, saying the directive was issued after an audit was carried out by the Treasury.