Hundreds Of Workers Claim They Are Still Owed Money After Independence Day Projects
Hundreds of workers involved in construction projects linked to Zimbabwe’s 2026 Independence Day celebrations say they are still waiting for payment months after completing work on schools, clinics and other public facilities.
The workers, who were employed under the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), claim they were recruited in January 2026 to help upgrade infrastructure ahead of the national celebrations held on 18 April. However, many allege they have not received all the money they earned despite completing several stages of construction.
The workers say the delays have left many families struggling to meet basic expenses, including school fees.
Workers claim payments stopped despite completed work
Several workers told CITE that they joined the programme believing it would provide employment while contributing to development projects in their communities.
One worker, who requested anonymity, said he spent months working on school construction projects but is still waiting for payment.
“I am one of the people who worked at Mahetshe Primary School for the past five months under the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, helping to build schools and develop our area, yet we have not been paid,” the worker said.
According to workers, they were informed that payments would be made after specific construction milestones were completed.
Another worker said:
“They told us we would be paid in stages. From foundation to slab was one stage, and from slab to window level was another. They promised that once a stage was completed, we would be paid.”
Workers allege that by early February they had completed multiple stages of work but only received payment for one phase.
More than 500 workers reportedly affected
The workers estimate that more than 500 people participated in the projects, which included upgrades to schools, clinics and police facilities.
Some said they continued working despite delayed payments because they wanted to see the projects completed before Independence Day.
Others claimed they provided their own food while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
One worker told CITE:
“We last received payment around April 10. Some of us had completed more stages and were still owed.”
Several workers also claimed that repeated attempts to obtain answers about their wages had yielded little progress.
Government says it will investigate
Contacted for comment, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said he was not immediately aware of the workers’ complaints.
“I will have to look into it. I know there are certain companies whose payments are still outstanding, but the government has committed itself to settling these bills soon. I do not know if these workers are among those affected.”
Nguluvhe added that he would seek clarification from RIDA regarding the allegations.
The post ‘We Did The Work But Haven’t Been Paid’: Workers Speak Out Over Independence Day Projects appeared first on iHarare News.
