Problems at foreign affairs are far from over as it has emerged that government is still failing to pay rent and other costs with over $40 million needed to settle debts at its embassies.<\/p>\n
So bad is the situation that Zimbabwe has yet to pay its 2015 annual subscription to the AU despite President Robert Mugabe being the organisation\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n
Newzimbabwe.com reported three months ago how desperate the situation was with some diplomats saying they were so poor that they were surviving on \u201cchicken feet\u201d due to continued non-payment of their salaries.<\/p>\n
Last week, the parliamentary portfolio committee on foreign affairs heard that Zimbabwe is still not paying rent at most of its 45 embassies around the globe with more than $40 million needed to settle the debts.<\/p>\n
Acting secretary for foreign affairs, David Hamadziripi, reportedly told the committee that \u201call rented premises are in arrears, with a number of missions in receipt of eviction notices\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cOur officials are regularly summoned by the ministries of foreign affairs in host countries to explain issues relating to default in payment of rent and other obligations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diplomats said in some situations the Salary Services Bureau had begun to pay salaries directly into their Zimbabwean accounts which they access from their host countries through master cards.<\/p>\n
Those without accounts in Zimbabwe have been encouraged to open them soon.<\/p>\n
This, they said, was meant to avoid a situation where salaries are diverted to other expenses such as rentals.<\/p>\n
However, this has also led to disgruntlement among embassy staff members who are nationals of host countries who feel that their fate is being ignored.<\/p>\n
It is compulsory for foreign missions to employ locals in varying positions.<\/p>\n
Other diplomats said months ago, when the government was virtually not paying any salaries at all, there was tension and deep divisions among staff members.<\/p>\n
They said government was prioritising CIO officers and that had resulted in internal divisions.<\/p>\n
The continued non-payment of rentals and diplomatic allowances comes at a time when President Robert Mugabe is spending millions travelling the globe.<\/p>\n
Government admits it is struggling for money as tax revenues have been hit by the 80 percent-plus unemployment rate and the closure of hundreds of companies.<\/p>\n
Source – Newzimbabwe.com<\/a><\/p>\n