THE Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco) has paid its workers three instalments in December as part of settling outstanding salaries in a move that is expected to boost its employees’ moral, NewsDay has gathered.
According to some of the workers who spoke to this paper recently, the third instalment was effected just before the Christmas holidays.
Zupco had been struggling to pay its disgruntled employees, who had gone for months without pay, alleging massive corruption at the public transporter.
The company was recently put under the Mutapa Investment Fund as the government pushes to save the ailing State enterprise which enjoyed a more than two-year public transport monopoly when the world went into lockdown in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the workers confirmed receiving three salary instalments in December last year.
“The US dollar outstanding component has been paid off and there are few months left. This has been the good news for us as workers,” they said.
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Zupco chief executive George Chigora confirmed that the public transporter had honoured its pledge.
“I can confirm that Zupco has fulfilled its obligations on US dollar salaries component. We managed the third payment of monthly US dollar wages for all employees in December. We paid thrice in December alone,” he said
“We have made the workers happy after paying them outstanding salaries. We also managed to service all our rural routes during the festive season.
“Zupco has affordable rates and we remain committed to offering better services to our clients. This can only be achieved with workers who feel appreciated for their commitment to duty.”
Chigora also maintained that Zupco operations were now under control.
“My priority has been centred on workers’ welfare and we are making strides to make it happen. I have dedicated most of my time visiting every depot countrywide and updating every one of the (real) situations we are facing,” he said.
“Every depot must be self-financing and making profit for its workforce and we are winning besides the economic challenges we are facing as a nation.”
He also revealed that the public transporter had experienced cash flow improvements, with some debtors paying their dues in time.
“Admittedly, Zupco is owed some monies by debtors that I am personally pushing to pay up what is due to us,” he said.
Recently, MIF chief executive officer John Mangudya confirmed that they were closely monitoring Zupco operations through the recapitalisation model for profit-making and sustainability financially.
“Mutapa Investment Fund is committed to Zupco turnaround strategies through a good corporate governance framework, accountability and transparency,” he said.
“We are working on addressing legacy debt obligations of the company so that it caters for modern operations on profit margins. I am happy with positive impact on Zupco operations.”
Zupco has more than 1 200 workers currently, with 300 buses plying both urban to rural and intercity routes countrywide.