Most of the country’s disgruntled members of the Zimbabwe National Army were on Friday- pay day, shocked to find out there were no salaries deposited in their bank accounts, The Zimbabwe Gazette can reveal.

Zimbabwe National Army

Investigations reveal the February salaries were advanced as loans.

A soldier based in Harare, who preferred anonymity hints salaries were due late last weekend, but nothing reflected in many of their bank accounts.

“Many colleagues of mine were disappointed with this development and we had to go to our seniors at KG6 Barracks in the capital, for inquiries.”

“However, the senior officers told us there was nothing in our bank accounts because last month we were offered hefty salaries,” he said.

Soldiers who managed to get their March salaries hint they got less than what they received last month.

Since the beginning of this year, the ZANU PF run government has been battling to increase civil servants salaries.

The soldier says almost all ZNA members based in Harare did not get last month’s salaries from their respective bank accounts, but were given cash instead.

“We were told those who wanted money have to go to KG6 Barracks. Although there are various banking institutions at the place, the money was not deposited in our bank accounts.”

“We were made to form queues and sign for $1, 3 billion, if we wanted money,” he said.

In January, all civil servants except uniformed forces embarking on nationwide strikes. Doctors, nurses, teachers and magistrates were fighting for better salaries and working conditions, of which just some of their demands have been met by the government.

“Those who did not go to KG6 and get the last month billion plus salary are the one who have currently seen this month’s salary,” he said.

Last week, the country’s President Robert Mugabe announced a hefty salary increment for teachers and all civil servants in general. The lowest paid teacher reportedly now earns not less than $3 billion.

One ZNA official said last month, the government secured money from the central bank to give the financially struggling uniformed forces and the whole civil service in general.

“Some of the money, if not all was handed over to the Defence Service Commission for disbursements,” he said.

The official adds the problem is there were no prior announcement on the disbursement of the monies or when they were expected to repay the loans and at what interest rate.

“Even pay slips were not issued for the loans (salaries). This has resulted in a lot of confusion within the army as many have not seen this month’s salaries,” he said.

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