The majority of state hospitals and schools are either closed or severely understaffed because doctors, nurses and teachers are either on strike or have simply stopped reporting for duty because they can no longer afford bus fare on their poor salaries.
The judicial officers began striking last Wednesday and some magistrates interviewed by ZimOnline said they wanted the government to provide them free accommodation, cars and as well as facilitate them to access cash from banks before they can return to work.
"We want the government to buy us cars and give us a place to stay. We also want to have access to cash from the banks. Until our demands are met we are not going back to work," said one magistrate who refused to be named.
Zimbabwe, which has faced acute shortages of foreign currency for years, has also run out of its own currency and people have to spend several hours waiting in long queues in banks to get cash with each individual allowed to withdraw a limited amount per day.
The magistrates and prosecutors last Thursday sent representatives to meet with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) that has been dolling out cash to other struggling state sectors but they got nothing.
"We were told that we were no exception. Things were tough for everyone and apart from that the bank had no money," said the magistrate.
RBZ spokesman Kumbirai Nhongo could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Spokesman for the magistrates Never Katiyo said he was not in a position to talk to the press on the matter and referred all questions to the chief magistrate’s office.
Chief magistrate Herbert Mandeya confirmed the magistrates were on strike but he referred all questions to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, David Mangota, who was however unreachable.
The demands by the magistrates come a few months after the government gave judges of the High and Supreme Courts luxurious cars, computers and plasma screen television sets as part of their perks.
Zimbabwe’s judicial system is stricken by long delays in hearings and prisoners can spend up to two years awaiting trial because of a critical shortage of magistrates, scores of whom have migrated to neighbouring countries where salaries and working conditions are better. – ZimOnline
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