The question is, if the Government has capacity to pay the salaries of civil servants as he said. Why then have they been staggered? That is the question and he also indicated that there are challenges that the Government has. What challenges exactly are those? I also reminded him that he has a responsibility to tell this House the truth – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – and to also respond about pensioners.
It is no laughing matter. He should not insult me because I am from the opposition because I have every right to be here. I have every right to represent the people in my constituency and this country. This is not a party issue and the civil servants of this country are entitled to be paid …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Majome, I do not think you can talk directly to the Hon. Minister. You address the Chair and now I direct the Minister to answer your question. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
*Hon. Minister, you are alleged to have uttered some words, may you use those words in one way or the other which have the same meaning because you have been asked to withdraw that. Just withdraw and proceed. – [HON. MEMBERS: Withdraw!] –
HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE: From the onset when Hon. Majome posed the question; the question has been, does Government have capacity or not?
Government has capacity but we have current cash flow problems. Capacity is there but there are cash flow challenges. We have sat down with the Apex Union and the employees and agreed on a payment schedule. So that agreement on the payment schedule sees us going forward and as we go forward, it is sad then that if there is an agreement between Government and the Apex Union, there are other people who are external to that agreement who find challenges with an agreement that is in place. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
This is my point exactly that you cannot, if you are not within the umbel of Government and the Apex Council and external to that agreement. It is unfair for you then to come up and say that – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – [HON. MEMBERS: Supplementary question!] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order no more supplementary questions on this one. We have heard enough supplementary questions on this one unless we have another outstanding question. – [HON. MEMBERS: Supplementary question!] – No, no supplementary question on this issue.
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