STRIKING public hospital doctors have claimed that they
spurned Strive Masiyiwa’s Higher Life Foundation (HLF)’s salary offer after
realising that the Econet Wireless founder was working in cahoots with
government to coerce them to call off their industrial action.
They also claimed that some of their members were being
forced to sign assumption of duty forms. Last week, Masiyiwa extended an offer to the doctors,
supposedly to help solve the impasse with their employer so they could return
to work.
But events appear to have twisted, revealing government’s
hand in the whole issue. In a statement yesterday, Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’
Association (ZHDA) said: “Following our solidarity meeting we had today
(yesterday), it was agreed that we should stop applying because HLF is trying
to arm-twist us into accepting their offer; we have received information that
members are now being forced to sign assumption of duty, which is now forcing
our members back to work, also the government is asking for a list of those who
applied which shows their fingers in this HLF plan.”
The doctors further said: “So we are advising our members
to withhold the HLF application process with immediate effect. We will
patiently wait in the trenches till there is a reasonable offer from the
government.”
Masiyiwa and his wife Tsitsi, through HLF, set up a $100
million fund which was to see up to 2 000 doctors employed by government
getting $5 000 each on top of what they are earning from their employer.
The doctors have been on strike since September. Health
Services Board chairperson, Paulinus Sikhosana declined to comment saying his
board was not involved in the application process. Newsday
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