Government appoints team leader to engage civil servants

Government has appointed Simon Masanga as its team leader at the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) as it moves to appease restless civil servants.

Masanga, an official from the Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment ministry, replaces acting Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Maxwell Ranga.

In a December 29 2014 letter to Masanga, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Prisca Mupfumira said the incoming team leader was appointed after recommendations by the Public Service Commission.

His appointment came as the Apex Council has resolved to temporarily shelve the impending strike following lack of consensus among worker representatives over their labour–related grievances.

Zimbabwe Teachers' Association chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said the Apex Council failed to agree on the causes of the conflict between government and civil servants and the timing of the industrial action.

Discussing the strike, the house was not in agreement on two fundamental points: "Causes of the conflict (and) timing and date of the strike," he said.