News / National
Chiefs go three months without pay
25 Jul 2016 at 07:07hrs | Views
CHIEFS have appealed to the Government to urgently avail their allowances as they last received payments three months ago.
Chief Vezi Maduna of Matabeleland South appealed to Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko during his visit to Insiza District last Thursday to impress on Treasury the need to release the money.
The chief said traditional leaders were working hard in their respective communities and one of the roles they play is to ensure that there is peace.
"We're working hard to make sure that there's peace in the communities.
"We leave our families on a daily basis to work for the people and see that their lives are uplifted. We've gone for three months without pay and I want to appeal to the government to pay us," he said.
Chief Maduna thanked VP Mphoko for visiting Insiza District and asked him to talk to Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa on the issue.
"We're grateful that VP Mphoko has visited us to listen to our grievances. This is the second time he has visited us and we feel loved.
"I'm hopeful that VP Mphoko will talk to the Finance Minister on our behalf so that the welfare of the chiefs is catered for," said Chief Maduna.
Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs president Chief Fortune Charumbira yesterday confirmed that the chiefs had not yet received their dues.
He said they were in constant talks with Treasury on the issue.
"The Ministry of Finance is aware of the situation and they have been promising that they will avail the funds as soon as they are available. We communicate on a weekly basis reminding them that the chiefs have to be paid their dues.
"They have cited cash flow challenges and promised to honour their obligations. I hope that the funds will be availed soon," Chief Charumbira said.
Recently, Chief Charumbira urged the Government to place chiefs on the Judicial Service Commission's payroll arguing that they handle matters of importance, just like magistrates and judges.
He said traditional leaders preside over courts under customary law and should be employed by the commission and be given some form of payment for their services.
Chief Charumbira said traditional leaders were being forced to dig deep into their pockets to fund customary courts.
Chief Vezi Maduna of Matabeleland South appealed to Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko during his visit to Insiza District last Thursday to impress on Treasury the need to release the money.
The chief said traditional leaders were working hard in their respective communities and one of the roles they play is to ensure that there is peace.
"We're working hard to make sure that there's peace in the communities.
"We leave our families on a daily basis to work for the people and see that their lives are uplifted. We've gone for three months without pay and I want to appeal to the government to pay us," he said.
Chief Maduna thanked VP Mphoko for visiting Insiza District and asked him to talk to Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa on the issue.
"We're grateful that VP Mphoko has visited us to listen to our grievances. This is the second time he has visited us and we feel loved.
Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs president Chief Fortune Charumbira yesterday confirmed that the chiefs had not yet received their dues.
He said they were in constant talks with Treasury on the issue.
"The Ministry of Finance is aware of the situation and they have been promising that they will avail the funds as soon as they are available. We communicate on a weekly basis reminding them that the chiefs have to be paid their dues.
"They have cited cash flow challenges and promised to honour their obligations. I hope that the funds will be availed soon," Chief Charumbira said.
Recently, Chief Charumbira urged the Government to place chiefs on the Judicial Service Commission's payroll arguing that they handle matters of importance, just like magistrates and judges.
He said traditional leaders preside over courts under customary law and should be employed by the commission and be given some form of payment for their services.
Chief Charumbira said traditional leaders were being forced to dig deep into their pockets to fund customary courts.
Source - chronicle
