Mthuli Ncube faced mounting pressure yesterday as civil servants staged a surprise demonstration in Harare, marching from the New Government Complex to his ministry offices. Organised by the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), the protest demanded urgent salary reviews and called on the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube to prioritise workers’ welfare in the upcoming mid-term budget statement..
The disgruntled government workers, who have reportedly gone six months without any salary adjustment, said they could no longer survive under the current economic climate. The protest drew participants from various public sector unions, including the Zimbabwe Teachers Union (ZIMTA), Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), and the Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads (ZNUSH), among others.
Chanting slogans and waving placards demanding “Dignity Through Fair Pay” and “Restore Our Purchasing Power,” the protestors made their way peacefully to the Treasury offices, hoping to secure an audience with Minister Mthuli Ncube. However, he was reportedly out of the country on business, and the workers were instead received by his deputy, Kudakwashe Mnangagwa.
In a statement following the meeting, ZCPSTU secretary-general David Dzatsunga said the delegation used the opportunity to relay civil servants’ deepening frustrations over the government’s failure to review their salaries for half a year.
“We expressed our disappointment over the delay in salary adjustments. Government workers are now struggling to survive. The cost of living has skyrocketed, yet our wages remain stagnant,” Dzatsunga said. “We are not asking for luxuries, just a fair income that allows us to provide for our families and carry out our duties with dignity.”
Civil Servants Stage Protest at Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s Office
Dzatsunga noted that the workers were calling for a substantial pay increase that reflects the economic realities on the ground. He highlighted that inflation had eroded salaries to unsustainable levels, and civil servants were now effectively earning far below the poverty datum line.
According to recent data, annual inflation based on the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency rose to 92.5% in June, up from 92.1% in May — a clear indication of worsening economic pressures. Prices of basic goods and services continue to rise, leaving many civil servants unable to afford essentials like food, transport, and school fees.
“While Mthuli Ncube speaks of economic recovery and stability, the situation for the average civil servant tells a different story,” Dzatsunga added. “We can no longer afford silence. We are demanding action in the mid-term fiscal policy review.”
The protest comes at a critical time, as the nation awaits Minister Mthuli Ncube’s mid-year fiscal policy announcement, expected in the coming weeks. Civil servants say this is a key opportunity for the government to demonstrate goodwill and commit to restoring the dignity of its workforce.
Union leaders also voiced concern over the lack of transparent dialogue between workers and the government. While regular engagement was promised through platforms like the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC), workers allege that talks have either stalled or yielded minimal results.
PTUZ president Dr Takavafira Zhou said the current wages are “an insult to professionals who are the backbone of public service delivery,” and warned that failure to address the matter could trigger wider unrest or mass job actions. “What we are doing is a warning shot. If nothing meaningful comes out of the mid-term budget, civil servants will have no choice but to escalate their actions. We’ve been patient for too long,” he said.
While the protest remained peaceful and was not met with resistance from law enforcement, tensions remain high. Workers expressed hope that their demonstration would send a clear message to the Finance Ministry that the status quo is no longer acceptable.
Meanwhile, the government has yet to issue an official response to the protest or confirm whether salary adjustments will be included in the upcoming budget review. The pressure is now on Minister Mthuli Ncube to respond decisively in the coming weeks, as public sector morale continues to deteriorate.
For now, civil servants say they will continue to mobilize and speak out until their concerns are adequately addressed, warning that failure to act will not only affect livelihoods but also the quality of essential public services across the country.
Source- Newsdaily
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