Zimbabwe Striking Civil Servants Demanding Diamond

Diamonds

Masvingo, February 23, 2010 - Zimbabwe teachers who are part of the striking civil servants are demanding to be paid diamonds since the Zimbabwe government is saying it is broke.

The teachers have also given government a March 05 deadline to resolve the civil servants' grievances or they will turn to the streets. Civil Servants have been demanding a USD 600 wage, up from the current USD 150.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe President Takavafira Zhou said: "We know that the government has 300 000 carats of gold seized by the
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). So the government should give us those diamonds if they say they have no money and we will sell them on our
own."

"We will turn to the power of the street...we are prepared for the worst, " Zhou warned.

He also complained about the alleged politicization of the strike by Zanu PF to discredit Prime Minister and Movement of Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai.