Why Zimbabwe’s civil service needs reform

The audit’s 34 proposed measures, included the abolition of some 21 000 posts that were vacant at the time – saving $129 million annually – withdrawal of government-funded teachers from private schools ($19.8 million savings per year), elimination of duplication of various extension services at ward level ($24 million saving), reduction in student teacher allowances and changes in vacation leave policy for teachers, which would save $47 million.

It also called for the cessation of salary payments to some 3 307 ghost workers, who were costing the taxpayer $21 million every year.

In total, the proposals would reduce the annual wage bill by almost $400 million, more than 10% of total employment costs.

On July 27, 2018, as everyone’s focus was on the general election due three days later, the Labour Court delivered a ruling that set back government’s plans to cut the wage bill.

Acting on the 2015 audit recommendations, government indefinitely cancelled vacation leave for teachers in January 2016.

The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) challenged the decision in court and won in a ruling made late last month.

The reinstatement of vacation leave is a considerable blow for government.

At the time of the 2015 audit, there were nearly 7 000 teachers on vacation leave and an equal number of relief teachers. Cancelling vacation leave for them would save nearly $50 million that year alone.

In cancelling the leave, which teachers are entitled to after serving for seven continuous years, government argued that teachers enjoy three and a half months of vacation per year anyway, during school holidays. A teacher on three months vacation leave would, therefore, be away from work for nearly seven months in a year, on full pay.

During the three month vacation period, government would also pay a relief teacher.

Although new Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube sought to lower expectations of radical civil service reforms, the fact remains that decisive action has to be taken to lower government’s employment costs.

In June, Mnangagwa appointed Vincent Hungwe, holder of a PhD in development planning from Cornell, who has worked as a policy adviser at the United Nations’ Development Programme, as head of the country’s public service commission.

The President hopes Hungwe, who replaced the long-serving Mariyawanda Nzuwah, has the stomach to administer the necessary strong medicine to what is a complex problem, as well as the nous to navigate what looks like treacherous terrain.- The Source

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