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proceeds would go towards improving their remuneration.
Unions representing Government workers yesterday expressed gratitude to the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, saying the highest office in the land had finally intervened.
“The Head of State is a man of honour and he has spoken and let us understand the implications of his statement,” said Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association president Ms Tendai Chikowore.
She said there was no doubt the issue of civil servants’ salaries would now be addressed.
“He is the President of this nation. We do not look at what he says with a dubious eye.
“He has an obligation to intervene where ministers have failed. He is just carrying out his responsibilities and there is no person who can articulate Government policy better,” said Ms Chikowore.
The Public Service Association echoed similar sentiments.
“We take the words of the President seriously. He is a father figure and knows the state of the national coffers,” said PSA spokesperson Mr Emmanuel Tichareva.
The PSA said at a recent meeting with Finance Minister Tendai Biti that they were told that his ministry was not receiving anything from diamond sales.
However, Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu has since dismissed Minister Biti’s claims, saying the Finance Minister was sitting on money earned from diamond proceeds.
Minister Mpofu recently told ZBC-News that Minister Biti had acknowledged receipt of US$60 million in diamond proceeds from his Ministry.
Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Manuel Nyawo said his membership was happy that the President had pledged to address their grievances.
“As TUZ, we are grateful that the Head of State and Government, as a father figure, did not remain quiet over our concerns,” he said.
Mr Nyawo took a swipe at Minister Biti for not addressing the civil servants’ plight for better remuneration despite getting revenue from diamond sales.
“We do not know what agenda he is pursuing. It shows that Minister Biti does not care about the plight of civil servants. We hail Minister Mpofu for coming in the open that the money is there.
“We are sick and tired of Minister Biti’s hide-and-seek game. It must come to an end,” he said.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe said they were hopeful that something would come up as promised by the Head of State.
“We believe in the Head of State’s position and we celebrated it. We still hope that something will happen and we are waiting to meet the President soon. This will enable us to inform our constituency the truth,” said Mr Majongwe.
He said they were, however, shocked by Treasury’s recent remarks that there is no money.
“Our members are saying explain to us what is going on and we are under pressure to explain a lot of things that are not under our control,” he said.
The unions said they were looking forward to a meeting with President Mugabe soon.
They have failed to secure meaningful salary increments after meetings with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Minister Biti and Public Service Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro. On assuming office in 2009, PM Tsvangirai pledged to increase salaries and improve the working conditions of civil servants.
Since then the PM has not done anything to fulfill his promise.
Speaking in Ethiopia at a luncheon hosted in his honour by the Zimbabwe embassy in Addis Ababa during the recently held AU summit, President Mugabe bemoaned State workers’ poor conditions of service.
“The Minister of Mines was telling me four days ago (that there was a third sale of diamonds) and they are going to give quite – I think its Mbada – a large sum to Treasury.
“It is going to assist also in raising salary levels of the people and even my salary level,” he said.
Last week Minister Biti said there was no money to give civil servants.
“There is no money from sale of diamonds. Diamonds are being sold but there is no accountability. We are not getting anything,” he said.
But Minister Mpofu dismissed the claims saying he has a written letter from Minister Biti acknowledging receipt of money from diamond sales.
“I have a written letter from Biti saying he had received the money. If he is telling you that he did not receive the money, I do not know why he is saying so because I have the letter he sent me,” he said.
Civil servants earn an average US$200 a month.