Zimbabwe diplomats owed millions

ZIMBABWEAN diplomats were owed $6.7 million (R82m) in unpaid salaries and some had been evicted from their homes abroad because their rent was overdue amid a government budget shortfall, Foreign Affairs Secretary Joey Bimha said yesterday.

"Due to lack of adequate budgetary support, the Foreign Ministry now owes diplomatic staff $6.7m in salary arrears as of December 31," Bimha said.

He added that some diplomats were thrown out of their homes over unpaid rent and the government owed $376 900 in education fees for the children of envoys posted in foreign countries.

Zimbabwe had been forced to lower the country's revenue estimates amid an economic crisis that has led to deflation, weak consumer spending and factory closures. Civil servants in the country also often face wage delays.