News / National
Zimbabwe begins paying long-delayed Civil Registry allowances
8 hrs ago | Views
The government has finally started disbursing long-overdue allowances to civil servants who participated in the Civil Registry Department's voter registration mop-up exercise ahead of the 2023 general elections.
A nationwide survey has confirmed that some of the affected civil servants began receiving their payments this month — nearly a year after Treasury first promised to settle the arrears.
The payments come after months of frustration and tension between the government workers and Treasury officials. The civil servants, drawn from various districts across the country, were recruited to assist with the voter registration drive but were left unpaid for their efforts.
"I got half of the outstanding payment. So far, they have deposited US$2 000 and I am not sure when the remainder will be paid," said a worker based in Mashonaland Central province. Each civil servant was promised a subsistence allowance of at least US$4 000.
A senior Civil Registry official in Bulawayo, who declined to be named due to lack of authority to speak to the media, confirmed the partial payments.
"I can confirm that payment is coming through their bank accounts," the official said. "We understand some have received part of the payment."
In 2023, NewsDay brought the payment issue to light, prompting government action. The Finance and Economic Development Ministry later committed to release US$16 million to cover the outstanding allowances.
Finance Ministry secretary George Guvamatanga, in a letter dated February 27, 2024, pledged that the backlog would be cleared in three phases between March and May this year. The letter, titled "RE: Request for payment of US$16 002 000 to clear outstanding mop-up mobile registration exercise allowances for Civil Registration Department," was addressed to Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage secretary Raphael Faranisi.
While the latest payments signal progress, many of the affected civil servants say they are still waiting for their full dues.
"We hope the government honours its promise and completes the payments soon," said one worker.
The situation has highlighted ongoing concerns about the government's handling of contractual obligations with civil servants during critical national assignments.
A nationwide survey has confirmed that some of the affected civil servants began receiving their payments this month — nearly a year after Treasury first promised to settle the arrears.
The payments come after months of frustration and tension between the government workers and Treasury officials. The civil servants, drawn from various districts across the country, were recruited to assist with the voter registration drive but were left unpaid for their efforts.
"I got half of the outstanding payment. So far, they have deposited US$2 000 and I am not sure when the remainder will be paid," said a worker based in Mashonaland Central province. Each civil servant was promised a subsistence allowance of at least US$4 000.
A senior Civil Registry official in Bulawayo, who declined to be named due to lack of authority to speak to the media, confirmed the partial payments.
"I can confirm that payment is coming through their bank accounts," the official said. "We understand some have received part of the payment."
In 2023, NewsDay brought the payment issue to light, prompting government action. The Finance and Economic Development Ministry later committed to release US$16 million to cover the outstanding allowances.
Finance Ministry secretary George Guvamatanga, in a letter dated February 27, 2024, pledged that the backlog would be cleared in three phases between March and May this year. The letter, titled "RE: Request for payment of US$16 002 000 to clear outstanding mop-up mobile registration exercise allowances for Civil Registration Department," was addressed to Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage secretary Raphael Faranisi.
While the latest payments signal progress, many of the affected civil servants say they are still waiting for their full dues.
"We hope the government honours its promise and completes the payments soon," said one worker.
The situation has highlighted ongoing concerns about the government's handling of contractual obligations with civil servants during critical national assignments.
Source - NewsDay
