Verification Letter Scandal: Nurses Slam Govt For Blocking Their Exit
Over 6 000 Zimbabwean nurses have accused the government of sabotaging their dreams of working abroad by deliberately withholding verification letters — key documents needed for overseas job applications — even after collecting US$3.6 million (R66 million) from them.
The Standard reports that the nurses, who each paid US$300 (R5 500) to the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ), say they have been waiting for months — in some cases, years — for the letters confirming their qualifications and professional standing.
But the government has refused to clear them for processing, effectively grounding thousands of qualified professionals who are desperate to escape Zimbabwe’s crumbling health sector.
‘We paid for the letters, now they block us’
The accusations came to a head in the Senate last week when opposition senator Sengezo Tshabangu directly questioned the Health Ministry.
“Why has it taken so long for the verification certificates to be released?” he asked.
“Is there an alternative to have these verification certificates processed in retrospect in order to facilitate the nurses employed abroad?”
Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Timios Kwidini admitted that the Ministry was blocking the process.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care has not yet cleared the nurses for the NCZ to process the verifications certificates,” he said.
Despite claims that the money was ring-fenced and refunds had been issued, nurses say they remain in the dark — and jobless.
“The money was ring-fenced and NCZ cannot use it until we have provided the service,” Kwidini told Parliament.
“Most of it has been refunded to the nurses whose verifications were not processed.”
But the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) rejected that explanation.
‘Government is holding us hostage’
ZINA President Enock Dongo accused the government of blocking nurses’ right to seek employment.
“There are thousands of nurses who have been duped,” Dongo said.
“Why collect that amount knowing that they don’t want to process the verification letters?”
“They have to be given the verification letters without conditions.”
According to Dongo, the verifications are essential for nurses seeking jobs in countries like the UK, Canada and Australia — destinations which have been actively recruiting Zimbabwean healthcare workers due to global shortages.
“People want to migrate because salaries are too low and working conditions are bad,” he added.
“The government should fix those issues instead of trapping nurses in a broken system.”
‘Brain drain’ blamed, but nurses want out
Zimbabwe’s health sector has lost thousands of professionals to the diaspora in recent years.
Analysts say government fears of a deepening brain drain have led to unofficial restrictions on verification processing. These documents are only issued by the NCZ, which falls under the Health Ministry’s oversight.
Despite paying in full, nurses say they are now victims of policy — not paperwork.
“They took our money, then closed the door,” said one nurse who requested anonymity.
“We’re just asking for the documents we paid for so we can feed our families.”
Observers say unless urgent reforms are made, Zimbabwe’s health delivery system — already on life support — may collapse entirely.
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The post 6 000 Zimbabwe Nurses Accuse Govt Of Withholding Verification Letters For Diaspora Jobs Despite Pocketing US$3.6m appeared first on iHarare News.
