Fury Erupts As Lowest ZANU-PF Salaries Allegedly Hit US$700 While Teachers, Nurses & Civil Servants Struggle

Politician Fumes As Lowest-Paid ZANU-PF Employees Allegedly Set To Earn US$700 Per Month

Fury has erupted after reports emerged that the lowest salaries for ZANU PF employees have climbed to nearly US$700 per month (about R13,160), while teachers, nurses, and other civil servants continue to struggle on far lower wages.

The claims have reignited debate around pay equity and prompted renewed calls for government-wide salary reviews amid rising living costs.

The issue came into sharp focus on January 21, 2026, when details of an alleged salary review within the ruling party began circulating online.

Politicians and labour activists quickly questioned why similar adjustments have not been extended to public servants who deliver essential services across the country.

Reports Of ZANU PF Salary Review

Pindula reported on January 21, 2026, that President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa ordered a major review of salaries for employees within ZANU PF structures.

The report states that the lowest-paid party workers are expected to earn close to US$700 per month (about R13,160), while senior officials could receive more than US$3,500 per month (about R65,800).

The salary increases are said to range from 50% to 300%. They are meant to correct internal pay disparities, align wages with prevailing market rates, and retain skilled staff.

Dandaro Online is cited as saying party insiders view the move as consistent with President Mnangagwa’s vision of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

ZANU PF online activist Kudzai Mutisi also commented publicly on X, appearing to confirm the figures being circulated.

“These are the current salaries of ZANU PF workers.
Lowest paid employees get US$700 per month, and senior officials get as much as US$3,500 per month,” Mutisi said.

“Gone are the days when party bigwigs would come to the party headquarters manned by hungry people, especially during the G40 period.
ZANU PF deserves leaders who care about others, especially those who work for the party.”

Masarira Demands Salary Equity

Labour activist and politician Linda Tsungirirai Masarira responded with a statement in which she urged authorities to extend salary reviews beyond party employees.

“We note the reported salary adjustments for ZANU PF party workers under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa,” Masarira said.

“In the same spirit of leaving no one and no place behind, we implore the President to extend this consideration to civil servants and parastatal workers who carry the daily burden of saving and serving the nation.”

She listed doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, engineers, and utility workers as the backbone of national service delivery.

Masarira said inflation and currency instability have steadily eroded their real wages.

“Equity and national cohesion demand consistency. If fiscal space exists to adjust party salaries, then justice requires parallel relief for public servants,” she said.

Teachers’ And Nurses’ Pay Questioned

Former opposition legislator Fadzayi Mahere also raised concerns over the growing pay gap. She contrasted the reported US$3,500 per month (about R65,800) for senior party officials with teachers’ earnings of about US$270 per month (about R5,080).

“What about teachers?” Mahere asked. “How can a teacher earn US$270 muchipanana ma US$3,500 kuZANU PF (when US$3,500 is being handed out at ZANU PF)?

Are you saying the party is more important than serving the public?”

Her comments echoed wider concerns among nurses and other civil servants, who have repeatedly cited low pay as a threat to morale and service delivery.