Government has once again failed to pay the military bonuses despite promises by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month that it would honour its pledge to give its workers a 13th cheque.

Hordes of desperate pensioners were also braving the rains queuing at banks across the country for their November pensions, which are yet to be paid.

Last month, Mnangagwa told parliamentarians that government would honour its promise to give its workers bonuses after it failed to do so in November.

In April, Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa said government was unable to pay its workers bonuses, but President Robert Mugabe said government would do so. The armed forces were holding on to Mugabe and Mnangagwa’s promises.

Meanwhile, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira announced that government is mobilizing funds to pay civil servants bonuses and the dates on which they will start receiving the 13th cheque will be announced in due course.

This development comes after the Apex Council; representing government workers in salary negotiations had demanded that government announces the exact dates for the payment of bonuses.

Minister Mupfumira also said that government is willing and will pay bonuses despite the financial constraints it is facing currently. Pensioners will receive their November payouts next Monday, the Minister also stated.Source: newsday