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Vice President Mphoko

Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has urged Zimbabweans, particularly civil servants to ignore “baseless reactions” and apprehensions towards the introduction of bond notes.

VP Mphoko said such reactions were peddled by detractors bent on crippling the country’s economy and thwarting efforts being made to resuscitate the economy.

He was speaking at Africa Public Service Day commemorations in Chinhoyi yesterday as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the continent to reflect on the contribution of the public service towards the development of nations.

“In response to the challenges currently persisting, a raft of measures are being put in place. These include curbing the externalisation of foreign currency, particularly the US dollar and promotion of the use of plastic money,” said VP Mphoko.

“I urge civil servants to remain calm and unperturbed by the baseless reactions towards the introduction of bond notes. Such reactions are caused by detractors who wish to cripple the economy at a time when avenues for investment are opening up.”

He bemoaned the amount of time being spent in bank queues saying it consumed production time for industry.

Monetary authorities have announced the introduction of bond notes in October to stem liquidity challenges that has seen money running out in banks.

VP Mphoko called on civil servants to remain highly professional, accountable, transparent and maintain integrity.

He said civil servants should take pride in knowing that without them, there would be no economy to talk about.

The vice president hailed Government workers for remaining strong and resilient in the face of financial challenges.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Cde Prisca Mupfumira, said Government was sensitive to the plight of civil servants. She called on civil servants to be patient as Government was mobilising resources to ensure they get paid on time.

Government recently moved the pay dates of civil servants citing constrained fiscal space. Apex council chairperson Mrs Cecilia Alexander, hailed Government for appreciating the centrality of Government workers in the overall growth of the economy. She bemoaned low salaries and called for the introduction of non-monetary incentives.

Africa Public Service Day was mooted in 1994 by the first Pan African Conference of Ministers of Public Service in Morocco which resolved that commemorations should be held on June 23 every year.