No funeral cover, no salary: Zimbabwean councillors struggling to survive

Zimbabwean legislators are proposing a raise in allowances for councillors, arguing that they are currently living in poverty and are unable to afford basic necessities like a funeral policy.

Murehwa West Legislator Farai Jere raised a motion in the National Assembly on Tuesday, stating that most councillors are being funded by MPs because their salaries are too low.

“It is very sad to let this House know that the welfare of the councillors as we speak now, it is the responsibilities of the Hon. Members,” Jere said. “They are funding their operations as they are regarded as the foot soldiers of our constituencies.”

Mberengwa West MP Tafanana Zhou supported the motion, citing the example of a councillor in his constituency who could not afford a funeral policy despite working for 15 years.

“Lack of adequate tools of trade puts our councillors between a rock and a hard place, and at times promotes corruption,” Zhou said.

“Some councillors end up engaging in corruption due to poor remuneration when they end up illegally selling stands and acquiring secret individual stands in their various wards.”

Zhou also called for the government to set aside budgets for struggling councils and to ensure that councillors are paid on time.

“Those councillors in Rural Districts Councils are the ones doing registers, so every day councillors are working,” Zhou said. “So, if someone is working every day, they need a salary at the end of the month to sustain on.”

Zhou added: “Mr. Speaker Sir, I was deeply touched at the passing of Councillor Mapadza, may his soul rest in peace, a councillor in my constituency. There was no evidence of his long service after having served the Mberengwa Council for 15 years.

“He could neither afford to have a funeral policy or a decent coffin. I therefore request the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to urgently look into this matter.

“What we ask for as the Parliament is that we make things fast so that our councillors get salaries in order to have peace whilst working for the nation. Those councillors in Rural Districts Councils are the ones doing registers, so every day councillors are working.

“So, if someone is working every day, they need a salary at the end of the month to sustain on.” Zhou added.