More prison officers deserting over salaries and work conditions

By Tererai Karimakwenda
30 November 2005

Prison officers in Zimbabwe, not happy with their salaries and tired of being used to carry out political assignments, are reported to be deserting the prison services and relocating secretly. Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa reports that at least 15 officers left their jobs in the last month alone, and many did not bother to go through the proper procedures of resigning. Shortages of food, fuel and other necessary resources have made working conditions unbearable, but the politicisation of their duties is proving to be the most difficult for many officers. Muchemwa says the government was testing their loyalty by sending them to assault or intimidate opposition supporters. Failure or hesitation was considered a sign of disloyalty to the ruling party. It usually led to being transferred to some remote area, or being demoted or being fired. The other problem has been that private catering companies hired to service branches of government are now hesitant to renew their contracts. The government is notorious for not paying its bills on time, and the ever-rising inflation has caused problems with suppliers. Prices are constantly changing while the terms of some contracts remain the same. The prison system is not the only one hit by low morale and desertions over salary and work conditions. The army has also suffered, with many soldiers reportedly sent home due to food shortages