Nearly two years after the 2023 national mobile voter registration mop-up exercise, civil servants who participated in the campaign are finally receiving part of their overdue allowances. Treasury has released US$3 million to the Civil Registry Department to begin settling the outstanding payments.
The Department confirmed the disbursement in a statement on April 30, 2025, acknowledging that the partial payment brings them a step closer to clearing what is owed. However, a balance of US$3.7 million remains unpaid, and officials say they are in active discussions with Treasury to close the gap.
“We appreciate the hard work and patience of those who participated,” the statement read. “This payment shows progress, and we remain committed to ensuring all dues are settled.” The exercise was part of preparations for Zimbabwe’s harmonised elections held in August 2023.
While some welcomed the update, others highlighted long-standing issues with how public funds are managed. Journalist Ranga Mberi criticized the disparity in how payments are handled, saying government often pays millions upfront to elites, while those who do the actual work wait years for their dues.
The Civil Registry Department assured that it would continue to update stakeholders on payment progress. Meanwhile, public service professionals are left hoping that this partial payment signals a shift toward timely and equitable compensation.
