OVER 100 senior public prosecutors are reportedly stranded
at various stations countrywide after the National Prosecuting Authority
promoted and mass transferred them without footing their relocation costs.
In a confidential memo seen by the NewsDay,
Acting-Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi promoted 10 prosecutors to chief
public prosecutors, 42 to principal public prosecutors and 44 to senior public
prosecutors.
“Following interviews conducted by the authority to select
suitable candidates to fill existing vacant posts on the establishment, the NPA
board has approved the promotion and appointment of officers in the prosecution
department listed on annexure A to posts indicated,” the memo, signed by board
secretary Solomon Siziba, read.
Those promoted were immediately moved to new stations,
where they assumed their new roles, but the majority said they were finding it
difficult to relocate, as the NPA was failing to fund their relocation costs.
“Some officers are not affected because they were moved
from one court to another, but in the same town or city. These are not
affected, but those moved to other towns have to look for accommodation and
move their property and are worst hit since the money for relocation will be
staggered,” a representative of the affected prosecutors said.
The prosecutors, who earn a pittance, said they could not
afford to fund their relocation.
“Most of the prosecutors are taking home less than $400 in
salaries and surely one can’t afford to fund their transport for relocation if
government does not provide the money before hand,” another prosecutor said.
A senior prosecutor, who is in grade 6, earns a basic
salary of $467, excluding allowances which include housing, transport, legal
and special civil service, which will carry their earnings to $935, according
to a memo by Siziba.
Justice permanent secretary Virginia Mabiza said she was
not aware of the challenges faced by the prosecutors and would have to check
with the administration.
“That has not been brought to my attention, but I am aware
that there were transfers and normally, they are allowed to check into a hotel
for about 30 days while they look for accommodation. We are supposed to
transfer them after making sure that we have provided for their relocation,”
she said. Newsday
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