This is the reality that this government has to contend with, it is no longer business as usual and a time has come for serious austerity measures.
Source: Without reforms Mugabe awaits an inglorious exit – NewsDay Zimbabwe December 15, 2016
NEWSDAY COMMENT
Traditionally, December salaries are paid slightly earlier compared to other months to allow workers to go on holidays with their pay, but for the first time, teachers will spend Christmas without their salaries, while others will only get paid next year.
No matter how the government tries to sugarcoat this, this is a monumental embarrassment and there is no way they can save face.
The major problem in this country is that the government seems inured to common sense and economic reason and this is something that they should have foreseen and, therefore, avoided.
For starters, the civil service is far too bloated and the reasonable thing would have been to reform it ages ago, or at least when Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa mooted the idea.
This would have meant a leaner and efficient civil service that would not be a strain on revenues.
President Robert Mugabe also has to be realistic and allow for the cutting of allowances for his top bureaucrats, as the money they are receiving is just not sustainable.
And the most obvious of them all: Do away with bonuses. It just does not make sense that the government wants to pay bonuses when it is evidently struggling with salaries.
Yes, Mugabe wants the political capital of paying bonuses, but with it comes economic suicide and ultimately political doom.
If Mugabe can recall, just eight years ago, his hold on power was threatened because of the economic meltdown and if he continues throwing out economic sense, then he can as well wait for an inglorious exit in less than two years’ time.
Shallow propagandists will argue that the failure by government to pay salaries on time is nothing out of the ordinary, as the private sector has been failing for a while.
While this is true, the reality is most private sector workers have taken pay cuts, have foregone bonuses, while companies have retrenched and many others have closed down.
The measures that the private sector has taken to remain in business mean that the taxes they used to contribute have reduced significantly and the tax base has shrunk, meaning government’s revenue can no longer sustain the civil service.
This is the reality that this government has to contend with, it is no longer business as usual and a time has come for serious austerity measures.
If the government wants to obstinately plough on as if nothing has changed, then they shall be in for a very rude surprise at the next elections.
COMMENTS
An overseas friend recently told me that the Zimbabwe regime ,which is a pariah government to most countries, similar to the one in Myamar or Burma, has no intention of relinquishing power. This evident to the way China has invested heavily in the country.
For anyone who knows or has interest in international politics, this investment has come with strings attached. China will not allow for the demise of the current regime. How can they. The regimes all weather friend is determined to milk the country for all its worth before all hell breaks loose.
The Chinese have already shown their indifference towards the general populace . Disrespect for the rule of law and other unlawful acts . Most believe the Chinese are not good for the country.
Unfortunately if this regime is returned to power in 2018, we might as well say Goodbye Zimbabwe, hello Zimdong.
The only “glory” would have been 20 years ago. Too late.
The Bond Notes were printed to allow for the payment of salaries and bonuses to the Civil Service and all the ghost workers (ie the ZANUPF cronies) so that they will not rebel against Mugabe and his incompetent kleptocratic rule.
Over the past few decades, Zimbabwe has made it self a no-go, no-help nation. Well-deserved.