Zimbabwe finally pays its starving diplomats

Zimbabwe's cash-strapped government has paid off its staff at foreign missions across the globe after a six-month delay.

According to highly-placed government sources, staff at all diplomatic missions received their outstanding salaries two weeks ago.

Some of the diplomats had resorted to requesting mealie-meal to be sent to them through the diplomatic bag because they could not afford to buy food in the countries in which they are posted.

"It had become an embarrassing situation, but they have since been paid most of the money they are owed. It was over six months' pay dating back to February this year," a source at the Foreign Affairs ministry yesterday.

Finance ministry secretary Willard Manungo could neither confirm nor deny the development.