President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration continues to overlook the well-being of civil servants, refraining from committing to enhancing their salaries and working conditions unless there are noticeable improvements in the struggling economy.

Speaking during the Independence Day celebrations at Murambinda B High School in Manicaland, Mnangagwa indicated that any adjustments to civil servants’ salaries would depend on the state of the economy.

“The welfare of our civil servants will continue to be reviewed in line with economic sustainability,” Mnangagwa stated enigmatically.

The 44th Uhuru gala took place in Manicaland as part of the government’s initiative to rotate the event across provinces.

Mnangagwa emphasized that the welfare of government employees would be evaluated based on economic fundamentals.

His remarks are likely to further dishearten already disillusioned civil servants, particularly teachers, nurses, and doctors, who have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with low salaries, leading to strikes and other forms of protest that have unsettled Mnangagwa and his allies.

He also called on local authorities to enhance their performance and ensure the delivery of quality services such as water, roads, clinics, and other essential amenities.

“The Call to Action initiative, launched last year, requires all local authorities to prioritize a development approach centered on the people and the delivery of quality services.

“Poor performance by our local authorities is unacceptable. Our citizens deserve a better quality of life starting from the grassroots level,” he emphasized.

Local councils argue that the government, apart from hindering their efforts to mobilize resources, is primarily responsible for the failure of residents and ratepayers to pay for service delivery due to the economic challenges.

Reflecting on four decades of independence amidst challenges in the education and health sectors, Mnangagwa asserted to the thousands gathered for the celebrations that he had significantly improved their situation.

“The overall economic outlook remains promising. Our country’s GDP (gross domestic product) now exceeds US$47 billion, up from US$16 billion in 2018.

“This demonstrates that we, the descendants of the Great Munhumutapa, are resilient, focused, determined, and hardworking. Zimbabwe is making progress,” he concluded.