For a long time they have had no choice. Zimbabwean pensioners have resolved to spend the night in front of their banks, the only hope to be able to collect their pension from the opening of the counters.
Zimbabwean crisis affecting pensioners
The crisis affecting the economy of the country is such that the coffers of financial institutions are most of the time dry.
Among them is Gift Kaondera-Shava, who is 80. His cheque by the end of month is a modest fee of 229 US dollars, the equivalent of 200 euros.
He said he stood in line for days and he was told that there is no more money. He has no choice than to go home empty-handed.
John Charumbira, 71 retired in 2011 after thirty-six years of good and loyal service to the municipality of Harare, as a horticulturist. His monthly pension of $ 60 a month is not even enough to cover the costs of medications for his prostate.
“Life is very difficult for retirees, some die of diseases related to tension, It seems that the Government has forgotten their contribution to lives of this country,” lamented Japhet Moyo, the Secretary general of trade unions congress of the country.
Nearly three quarters of the 16 million inhabitants of the Zimbabwe now live under the poverty line and the unemployment rate is close to 90% of the active population.
Robert Mugabe routinely deplore the disastrous economic situation in his country and gladly puts the blame on the western world.