In a move that’s got everyone talking, Zimbabwe’s Prosecutor General Loice Matanda Moyo has decided to shake things up at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) with a new rotation and transfer policy for staff. The aim? To curb corruption allegations by preventing staff from getting too cozy in one spot. Sounds reasonable, right? Not to the prosecutors, who are crying foul.
These legal eagles are flapping their wings in discontent, and for good reason. Instead of getting tossed around like hot potatoes, they’re demanding a pay raise. “We’re getting peanuts,” one prosecutor lamented. Fair point, considering the NPA’s mandate to fight corruption and uphold justice.
The prosecutors aren’t just whining about the move; they’re highlighting legitimate concerns. Transfers can be a real challenge, especially when you’ve spent years building a life in one place. “It takes time to settle,” another prosecutor noted, adding that the move could be a “big blow” to those who’ve invested in their communities.
Some prosecutors are even talking about resigning or demonstrating over the issue. Why? The NPA doesn’t consider experience when determining remuneration, making the prospect of uprooting their lives for a new posting even less appealing.
The NPA’s vision is to create a just, secure, and peaceful society by 2030, with values like justice, integrity, and professionalism guiding their work. But with prosecutors feeling undervalued and overworked, it’s hard to see how this vision will become a reality.
The rotation and transfer policy might be aimed at curbing corruption, but it’s clear that the NPA needs to address the underlying issues driving staff discontent. Until then, the prosecutors will likely continue to cry foul.