By Takura Zhangazha*
The Ministry of Local Government in consultation with Apex,
the umbrella body of civil service associations, announced that it is rolling
out a residential stands allocation scheme for government workers. While not mentioning the commencement date of
the scheme, the government outlined that it had identified land that
could be allocated for residential use by civil servants on the outskirts of
some of our major cities.
the umbrella body of civil service associations, announced that it is rolling
out a residential stands allocation scheme for government workers. While not mentioning the commencement date of
the scheme, the government outlined that it had identified land that
could be allocated for residential use by civil servants on the outskirts of
some of our major cities.
The land will however not be free. It will be given to those that are on the
Salary Services Bureau (SSB) payroll.
Depending on the size of the residential stand that they want, they will
pay a maximum of U$4 per square meter per month for the smaller stands that will be deducted from
their monthly salaries.
Salary Services Bureau (SSB) payroll.
Depending on the size of the residential stand that they want, they will
pay a maximum of U$4 per square meter per month for the smaller stands that will be deducted from
their monthly salaries.
The task for the civil servants though appearing to be a ‘no
brainer’ due to the severe shortage of housing in the country, is to accept this
sort of ‘housing loan’ while at the same time having less money in their
pockets at the end of the month.
brainer’ due to the severe shortage of housing in the country, is to accept this
sort of ‘housing loan’ while at the same time having less money in their
pockets at the end of the month.
Given
the fact that those already on the list are at least 113 000 (and probably rising), it would also
mean that governments wage bill, in real cash, is reduced fairly significantly. And also civil servants will feel, with
ownership of urban land/capital, that their salaries are giving them fair
returns for their labour.
the fact that those already on the list are at least 113 000 (and probably rising), it would also
mean that governments wage bill, in real cash, is reduced fairly significantly. And also civil servants will feel, with
ownership of urban land/capital, that their salaries are giving them fair
returns for their labour.
The impact of this new government facility for its workers
are multi-fold. The obvious one is
political. Allegations of the ruling
party seeking to endear itself with the civil service ahead of general elections
in 2018 will soon, if they haven’t started already, emanate from the opposition
political party ranks. And
understandably so. The allocation of land to so many government workers will
not doubt have a significant political impact, not only in terms of establishing
new demographics to the voters roll, but also inducing loyalty to the party
that has gone the extra mile of providing elusive and expensive urban
land/capital.
are multi-fold. The obvious one is
political. Allegations of the ruling
party seeking to endear itself with the civil service ahead of general elections
in 2018 will soon, if they haven’t started already, emanate from the opposition
political party ranks. And
understandably so. The allocation of land to so many government workers will
not doubt have a significant political impact, not only in terms of establishing
new demographics to the voters roll, but also inducing loyalty to the party
that has gone the extra mile of providing elusive and expensive urban
land/capital.
It is also a loyalty that will spill over into the economic
sphere by not just mitigating any intentions by the civil service to undertake
national strike action similar to that of July 2016.
sphere by not just mitigating any intentions by the civil service to undertake
national strike action similar to that of July 2016.
It will also lead to increased economic
activity and employment, depending on how transparent the tender processes of
support services (engineering companies, mortgage giving banks/building
societies,) or the ease with which small scale businesses can be allowed to
flourish in the new ‘suburbs’.
Socially it will mean a rapid expansion of urban population
and land use, a process which has been underway by default via housing
cooperatives and controversial ‘land barons’.
and land use, a process which has been underway by default via housing
cooperatives and controversial ‘land barons’.
It will also make the civil service much more close knit socially
(almost setting them apart as a distinct social group) because of geographic
proximity. This may induce a strong sense of community among citizens that work
for the government and with that may come a certain pride (or restoration
thereof). That is if the envisioned new
residential areas for them can be immune from the urban vagaries of poverty,
unemployment and lack of social service delivery.
Perhaps the more significant off-shoot of this policy is the
conversion of the focus of the fast track land reform programme from
agriculture to urban use. It may not be
as violent, racially and politically charged as its predecessor but it is a
direct consequence of it. And it has its
fair share of violent evictions, demolition of houses, distribution by
patronage and political affiliation (Norton, Harare South).
conversion of the focus of the fast track land reform programme from
agriculture to urban use. It may not be
as violent, racially and politically charged as its predecessor but it is a
direct consequence of it. And it has its
fair share of violent evictions, demolition of houses, distribution by
patronage and political affiliation (Norton, Harare South).
With this new scheme the civil service is being sprung up
the ladder of privilege. And even in that it is not necessarily all about
equality. The different categorisations
of land size and probable housing structure/plans means that despite being
blanketed as ‘civil servants’, they remain viewed through class and seniority
lenses by government. For the lower paid
civil servants go the ‘ghetto’ size equivalent stands, while those that earn
more get the ‘suburb’ size ones.
the ladder of privilege. And even in that it is not necessarily all about
equality. The different categorisations
of land size and probable housing structure/plans means that despite being
blanketed as ‘civil servants’, they remain viewed through class and seniority
lenses by government. For the lower paid
civil servants go the ‘ghetto’ size equivalent stands, while those that earn
more get the ‘suburb’ size ones.
So in essence while the civil servants and the leaders of their
associations/unions welcome this particular move by government they must be
wary of the fact that they are essentially being co-opted into a materialistic
silence. The land that they get should
not be a political burden nor a sign of their specific uniqueness above other
citizens through proximity to the state.
Every Zimbabwean should have the right to shelter. We hope they know that. We hope they will
remember that.
associations/unions welcome this particular move by government they must be
wary of the fact that they are essentially being co-opted into a materialistic
silence. The land that they get should
not be a political burden nor a sign of their specific uniqueness above other
citizens through proximity to the state.
Every Zimbabwean should have the right to shelter. We hope they know that. We hope they will
remember that.
*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity
(takura-zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity)
(takura-zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity)
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