Some observers say the political discord in the ruling Zanu PF government over bonus payments for civil servants is the party’s strategy to distract Zimbabweans from pressing issues.
They say the ruling party is well-known for creating problems and then appear to be solving them in public as what happened when President Robert Mugabe on Saturday attacked Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa for allegedly making an unsanctioned statement that the government was suspending bonus payments for civil servants.
Mr. Mugabe criticized his minister and assured civil servants that bonuses will be paid, despite Chinamasa’s fears that the country won’t have money to pay 13th cheques for the next two years.
Political analyst Charles Mangongera told VOA Studio 7 the so-called conflict between President Mugabe and Chinamasa is not surprising.
“I think it’s their way of trying to manage their public relations positions. I don’t think some of them anticipated that the president was going to make this announcement,” said Mangongera.
