Police thwart teachers’ demo at Chinamasa offices

RTUZ had invited members to the capital to demonstrate at the finance ministry offices against the delay of teachers’ June salaries to July 7.

The protestors, about 15 in number, said police confiscated their placards and ordered them to disperse after blocking the main entrance to the New Government Complex in central Harare.

Finance minister Chinamasa, who was in France this week for meetings with creditors, last week offered civil servants a salary advance of $100 each to enable them to report for work.

However, RTUZ rejected the payment, insisting it was just “pocket money” from government and not part of their salaries.

“Our (political) leaders are not sincere and do not care about its workers,” said union president Obert Masaraure.

“How can we say they are broke when all their luxury expenditure is being taken care of by government?”

Nomore Mavenganise, a teacher from Hwange, added, “Why is it that the current government is failing to pay us yet?

“The (previous) Government of National Unity managed the situation. I am not being political and I am an unhappy Comrade but the only honourable thing for them (government) to do is to leave office.

“They (should) let those who are capable to do what is right for the majority take over.”

Alois Bimha from Midlands Province continued: “We cannot proceed like this.

“The government does not seem to be working hard enough to improve the situation. Where on earth do find a cruel government like ours … we cannot accept that the government is broke at all.”

Meanwhile, a survey by NewZimbabwe.com at some banks in the capital showed that some civil servants were withdrawing the $100 transport allowance offered by the government.

However, those who spoke to this publication insisted that payment was not part of their salary and they expected their wages in full next month.