News / National
Matebeleland exam paper transporters furious over unpaid dues
21 Nov 2024 at 06:26hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) is facing accusations of failing to pay transporters in the Matebeleland region who were contracted to deliver examination papers and scripts for the 2023 examination period.
Transporters, who were hired via the Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED) to ferry examination materials between September and November last year, have claimed that they are yet to receive full payment for their services. The transporters were reportedly contracted at a rate of US$152 per day to deliver Grade Seven, Ordinary, and Advanced Level examination papers to various centres across the province.
Zimsec introduced a new examination delivery system in 2023, aiming to secure question papers and prevent leakages. However, despite fulfilling their contracts, transporters have expressed frustration with the payment delays, with some claiming to have been paid only a fraction of the agreed sum, in local currency, instead of the expected US dollars.
"I am owed US$1,000 for the work I did. They gave us 20% of the total payment in local currency," one transporter said. "The terrain we used to deliver these papers was rough and challenging, and we should be paid accordingly for our efforts."
Another transporter added that despite numerous attempts to follow up with Zimsec, including engaging the finance director, they have been left with no resolution. "We've been passed around, and we still haven't received the full payment for the services we rendered," the transporter said. "This is a grossly unfair labour practice by a State institution."
However, Zimsec spokesperson Nicholette Dlamini has denied the allegations, stating that the council has met its contractual obligations and paid the service provider with whom they had a contract. "We have seen reports suggesting that transporters were owed money, but Zimsec did not contract individual transporters last year. We contracted a single institution, which may have hired the transporters," Dlamini explained.
She added that transporters seeking payment should contact the organisation that had directly contracted them. "Zimsec has fulfilled its financial commitments to the organisation it contracted. Any issues with payments to individual transporters should be directed to that organisation," she said.
In a statement earlier this year, CMED spokesperson Tarisai Muzorori confirmed that Zimsec had made part payments for vehicle hire services. However, many transporters are still waiting for the remaining amounts, with some having expected payments of up to US$4,000.
The ongoing payment dispute highlights the challenges faced by transporters in the region and the broader issues of payment delays in government contracts, with some accusing Zimsec of failing to live up to its obligations. Transporters are calling for clearer post-payment contracts and faster resolution of payment issues to prevent further frustration.
Transporters, who were hired via the Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED) to ferry examination materials between September and November last year, have claimed that they are yet to receive full payment for their services. The transporters were reportedly contracted at a rate of US$152 per day to deliver Grade Seven, Ordinary, and Advanced Level examination papers to various centres across the province.
Zimsec introduced a new examination delivery system in 2023, aiming to secure question papers and prevent leakages. However, despite fulfilling their contracts, transporters have expressed frustration with the payment delays, with some claiming to have been paid only a fraction of the agreed sum, in local currency, instead of the expected US dollars.
"I am owed US$1,000 for the work I did. They gave us 20% of the total payment in local currency," one transporter said. "The terrain we used to deliver these papers was rough and challenging, and we should be paid accordingly for our efforts."
Another transporter added that despite numerous attempts to follow up with Zimsec, including engaging the finance director, they have been left with no resolution. "We've been passed around, and we still haven't received the full payment for the services we rendered," the transporter said. "This is a grossly unfair labour practice by a State institution."
However, Zimsec spokesperson Nicholette Dlamini has denied the allegations, stating that the council has met its contractual obligations and paid the service provider with whom they had a contract. "We have seen reports suggesting that transporters were owed money, but Zimsec did not contract individual transporters last year. We contracted a single institution, which may have hired the transporters," Dlamini explained.
She added that transporters seeking payment should contact the organisation that had directly contracted them. "Zimsec has fulfilled its financial commitments to the organisation it contracted. Any issues with payments to individual transporters should be directed to that organisation," she said.
In a statement earlier this year, CMED spokesperson Tarisai Muzorori confirmed that Zimsec had made part payments for vehicle hire services. However, many transporters are still waiting for the remaining amounts, with some having expected payments of up to US$4,000.
The ongoing payment dispute highlights the challenges faced by transporters in the region and the broader issues of payment delays in government contracts, with some accusing Zimsec of failing to live up to its obligations. Transporters are calling for clearer post-payment contracts and faster resolution of payment issues to prevent further frustration.
Source - newsday
