Zimbabwe announced an unprecedented audit on Wednesday of public servants to identify skills shortages and root out ”ghost workers” after years of crisis drove millions of people from the country.
”Because of economic hardships that enveloped this country over the past 10 years, there has been a lot of movement of skilled personnel from civil service for greener pastures,” said Public Service Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro.
The $4-million audit, funded by donors, will exempt the army and police force.
Zimbabwe’s government currently has 200 389 workers on its books but there have been reports of ”ghost” workers on the state payroll.
Mukonoweshuro told a media briefing in the capital that restoring Zimbabwe’s basic services was a top priority of the unity government set up in February between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
In October, a government report found gross abuse of state resources by senior government officials and the unlawful recruitment of 10 000 youths in the build-up towards last year’s disputed presidential run-off won by Mugabe.
More than 1 400 auditors will perform the study, expected to finish next month. — AFP
