Opinion / Columnist
Civil Servants and fiscal Policy Paradigm
09 Sep 2016 at 15:30hrs | Views
The Ministry of finance and economic development, presented its fiscal policy, leaving so many questions. The greatest mishap is the continued blame on civil servants for government failed economic recovery. Listening to the Minister, it seems there is a suggestion that taxing civil servants, and mind you, already close to $40 is being removed from their already too little salary, will resurrect the situation. Quote me wrong but if I remember very well, last year the same Ministry attempted to slash bonuses for civil servants as a way of 'saving' as they put it, only to be embarrassed by the President who then said bonuses are a right for civil servants. Is it now proper to remove that right now? Why must civil servants suffer for gross economic mismanagement whose genesis they did not engineer?
It seems to me that the Minister is pretending not to know the real solutions to the problems. Obviously, he is afraid to face the bull by its horns. To begin with, our government's expenditures on often useless foreign trips are legendary. Yes, a delegation of more than 80 can travel abroad only to return with signatures, and mind you, they don't live cheaply, they are such an elite lot.
Corruption has been skyrocketing in its levels. I was shocked when the Head of State questioned a Minister over land deals with a Pastor, naturally an investigation was to be commenced but as usual, it's just but one of the numerous cases of corruption swept under the carpet by this government.
It is in this country where one can Minister can hold the post for 36 years without any trial, are they really that perfect? Why under their watch the country is in its sorry state?
Unemployment rose when real industries closed, largely because of continued harassment by the ruling in form of failed 49/51 indigenization policy. Open industries and people will begin to be employed. Which country can substitute industry for Small to Medium enterprises? Is that not an insult to the nation?
As if that is not enough, another statutory instrument is put in place to disturb the very remaining means of survival for the majority. What is STEM without a functioning industry?
Let the Minister give civil servants a break, these noble men and women work hard and don't deserve the treatment they are getting from people not willing to face the reality of the consequence of their actions.
(Paddy Chacks)
Paddy Chakabva <chackspaddy@gmail.com
Source - Paddy Chakabva
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
