Harare councillors divided over retirement age

Harare City Council (HCC) is currently split over a government directive to extend the retirement age for workers to 70, with some councillors arguing that the policy amounts to abuse of elderly employees who should instead retire and enjoy their pensions.

The contentious issue was raised during a recent full council meeting, where it was revealed that the council's human resources report had formally adopted the government's directive. The directive comes following President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Statutory Instrument 197 of 2024, which extended the retirement age for civil servants and uniformed forces to 70. This policy was subsequently extended to local councils, including HCC.

However, not all councillors are in agreement. Ward 16 councillor Denford Ngadziore told NewsDay that councils should critically evaluate government directives rather than accept them unconditionally.

Ngadziore criticised the retirement age extension as "antiyouth," highlighting the chronic unemployment among graduates. He pointed out that many young people have remained jobless for years, while council continues to extend contracts for older employees.

"Our human resources report adopted a government directive to increase retirement age to 70. Previously, retirement age at the council was 55, then 60, 65, and now 70. When these people reach 70, they will extend the retirement age to 75 and possibly to 80," Ngadziore said.

"This resolution is anti-youth. We have youths who are coming from universities, some have no jobs after graduating 20 years ago, and we keep on extending contracts."

He expressed dismay at the council's practice of retaining elderly workers in physically demanding roles, noting:

"Sometimes you can see an old man jumping onto a tipper truck. It is the same as violating children's rights because you can't employ a child. We need to respect old people so that they retire on time and enjoy their pension."

On the other hand, council human resources committee chairperson George Mujajati confirmed that the council had adopted the government directive and was in the process of implementing it.

"We have since adopted the government directive and we are in the process of implementing it," Mujajati said.

As Harare City Council grapples with the implications of the extended retirement age, tensions remain high between concerns over youth employment opportunities and the treatment and welfare of aging workers. The debate underscores the broader challenge facing Zimbabwe as it balances economic realities with social welfare and workforce renewal.