The MDC-T firmly believes the reluctance by Zanu (PF) to release the contents of a Public Service audit report is meant to protect party militia and supporters who were employed illegally prior to the 2008 elections.
The audit, set by Finance Minister Tendai Biti, and meant to weed out ghost workers, was completed early this year but the report has been blocked by cabinet from being released. It is also illegal to release cabinet documents without authority, making it impossible for the MDC-T to leak the report.
The report, which has already been analysed by the Ministry of Public Service, has identified thousands of ghost workers who are currently on the government payroll.
The audit was able to flush out over 75,000 ghost workers, most of them unqualified Zanu (PF) militia and supporters. The audit was carried out by Ernst and Young (India) on behalf of the Ministry.
Recently Biti said the government was spending US$960 million per annum on civil servants salaries, much of which is believed to be going to the ghost workers. It is anticipated the removal of the 75,000 ghost workers would save the government over US$17,6 million monthly.
Muchemwa said the reason why the Public Service Commission had dismissed the report as flawed was a plot to ensure the ‘it is not released and thus would not see the light of day’.
“The report is pretty much a hot potato in Zanu (PF). Most of these ghost workers are from Zanu (PF), cadres who were employed by the ministry of Youth to campaign for the party before the 2008 elections.
“For such people to be identified and removed from the payroll is like dumping them from the party and this is what they want to avoid at all costs. The MDC-T is fully aware of the machinations by Zanu (PF) and this is why some of its MPs are calling for the report to be published,’ Muchemwa said.
Post published in: News