3,000 teachers struck off payroll

AT least 3,000 teachers have been struck off the pay sheet and did not receive their July salaries because they were not present at their work stations when the government conducted a head-count of personnel in April this year.

The physical count of teachers and other employees was meant to remove ghost workers from the payroll.

Most of the teachers who went home empty-handed were on study leave, maternity leave, vacational leave and sick leave, while others had travelled after communicating with their superiors.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu yesterday confirmed the non-payment of the teachers, saying at least 3,000 serving staff countrywide had lodged complaints.

"According to our records, some 3,000 teachers have complained of not receiving their July salaries," he said. "The actual figure could be much higher, but so far that's the number that we have.

Ndlovu said Zimta received information that the unpaid teachers were not present when the audit was done in April, hence they were erroneously regarded as ghost workers.

He said Zimta was demanding an explanation from the government why the "innocent and serving" teachers were struck off the pay sheet.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary general Raymond Majongwe said his union had received 318 complaints.