Zimbabwe’s government has awarded members of the security services a 22.5 percent salary increment, just two weeks before the southern African nation conducts its presidential election.
The move has however drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly over the timing of the increment.
With Zimbabwe set to hold the presidential vote on 30 July, the critics see it as a ploy to buy votes from the uniformed forces.
Also, the move has drawn anger from teachers and civil servants in the country, who recently obtained a 17.5% percent increase. They are against the awarding of a higher increase to the police and soldiers.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) says the hike should have been the same across the board.
“Should teachers be in the military or be led by the military to be heard,” ZIMTA said in a statement.
It condemned “the lack of seriousness and commitment by this Government” and warned of “serious consequences”.
The presidential vote will be Zimbabwe’s first since independence that Robert Mugabe does not participate in. The long-serving leader was forced out through a military takeover in November 2017, with Emmerson Mnangagwa taking over on a caretaker basis.
