Chiefs and village heads (traditional leaders) will get at least US$550 each as part of COVID-19 allowances backdated to May 2022.
The Sunday Mail reported that there are about 26 000 village heads countrywide, who will get US$50 per month from May last year as part of the perks.
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works’ communication and advocacy director Gabriel Masvora.
He said the payments have since been approved and will be distributed through the Salary Service Bureau (SSB). Said Masvora:
The ministry has now approved that the village heads receive US$50 per month as the COVID-19 allowance, and it will be backdated to May last year.
Village heads approached the ministry and argued that they have been playing a major role in the fight against the pandemic, hence they deserved to receive the allowances.
The government also approved a medical aid facility with the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) for traditional leaders.
Masvora said the government will pay 80 percent of the cost, chiefs will contribute US$3, sub-chiefs US$2 and village heads US$1 per month towards the medical aid facility.
He said the amount will cover a maximum of five family members.
Section 281 (2) of the Constitution forbids traditional leaders from being members of any political party or in any way participating in partisan politics, acting in a partisan manner, furthering the interests of any political party or cause or violating the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person.
In previous years, opposition political parties and civic organisations have accused ZANU PF of abusing the roles of traditional leaders by using them as political commissars to induce villagers to vote for the ruling party during elections.
The announcement of the US dollar windfall for COVID-19 which is no longer a threat a few months before general elections will most likely raise some eyebrows.
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