Some cabinet ministers in Zimbabwe say the state should give them reasonable terminal benefits such as residential stands and vehicles to cushion them from poverty as the government of national unity comes to an end within the next few months.
The ministers told VOA Studio 7 that they have already expressed their concern over lack of terminal benefits to President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and hope that the two will address their grievances before they leave office.
They said it will be reasonable for the government to ensure that they acquire stands or houses and vehicles at reasonable prices.
Water Resources Minister Sam Sipepa Nkomo said ministers are currently not entitled to any form of pension and as a result they need such exit packages.
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Interview With Sam Sipepa Nkomo
These packages are set to cost the government millions of dollars as the country struggles to cope with a shoe-string budget.
Lawmakers also said they need full payment of their allowances of up to $30,000 per person, before parliament’s tenure ends in June.
Paddy Zhanda, chairman of the Lawmakers’ Welfare Committee, said apart from that, most members of parliament want the government to replace their vehicles which were used during the constitution-making process.
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Interview With Paddy Zhanda
Bulawayo Agenda director, Thabani Nyoni, said the ministers and lawmakers have genuine grievances.
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Interview With Thabani Nyoni
Finance Minister Tendai Biti was unreachable on his mobile phone.
