Outreach in danger of collapsing

Written by Staff Reporter

Saturday, 24 July 2010 23:18

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s troubled process to draw a new constitution is in danger of collapsing amid revelations that support staff involved in a crucial exercise to gather views from the public have threatened to down tools over poor working conditions. (Pictured: What the people want – The exercise to gather public views on the new charter is in danger of collapsing over non-payment of staff)

Disgruntled backroom staff, comprising mostly drivers and technicians, are said to be unhappy about alleged favouritism by the parliamentary committee overseeing the drafting of Zimbabwe’s new supreme law.

They accused the Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) of
favouring team leaders and rapporteurs while allegedly leaving the
ancillary staff to “fend for themselves”.

COPAC chairmen could not be reached for comment on the matter but one of the co-chairman Douglas Mwonzora

Drivers and technicians who spoke to The Zimbabwean On Sunday last week said they are not being paid on time and that when the money finally comes it usually does not cover full board.

They alleged that they have been thrown out of hotels or have had meals withdrawn because the money they are getting from COPAC is not enough to cover accommodation and meals at most hotels.

Several members of the Mashonaland West outreach team were evicted from the Orange Groove Motel and Chinhoyi Caves Hotel for non payment last Monday.

They were later offered a makeshift home at a Roman Catholic Church in the area.

The ancillary staff is currently getting US$15 a day to cover accommodation, lunch and dinner.

The daily accommodation rate for the cheapest hotels is US$20 while the more expensive establishments are charging between US$50 and US$100 a night.

The nature of the outreach exercise however requires that members of the various teams stay at one place to ensure smooth coordination of activities.

“In some cases, we have had to use our own money to buy food but we,have never been reimbursed despite bringing this to the attention of our team leaders,” a driver said last week.

Another member of the support staff for the COPAC team based in the Midlands said the consensus among most junior members of the outreach team in the area was that they should down tools unless action is taken to address their grievances.

“Something has to be done to address the situation. Otherwise the team leaders and rapporteurs will end up also taking over the duties we are currently carrying out,” a technician said.

The outreach programme has already been rocked by allegations of intimidation of members of the public by militias aligned to President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu (PF).

Zanu (PF) wants the country to adopt a draft constitution agreed by negotiators from the three main parties in 2007, which seeks to retain Mugabe’s executive powers. – Additional reporting SW Radio.

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