President Robert Mugabe has publicly admitted his government is failing to pay civil servants and blamed the drought before pinning economic recovery hopes on the re-engagement process his government is having with the international community.
Mugabe since the end of the coalition government he had with the two MDC formations which lasted until 31 July 2013, is struggling to pay government workers.
Government has while struggling to pay salaries on time, also failed to pay civil servants’ bonuses which are traditionally paid up in November and December of each year.
Addressing hundreds of his party supporters most of whom  members of the uniformed forces in Harare at the country’s 36 anniversary on Monday, Mugabe apologized for failing to pay civil servants.
“Government apologies on the delays in the payment of salaries, pensions and bonuses to civil servants, but we assure you that we are working flat out to ensure that the welfare of civil servants will be addressed”.
Mugabe blamed the El Nino induced drought saying was it not because of the natural disaster, his government could have been able to pay workers.
The veteran leader however said the only hopes for the sinking economy to recover, rests on the re-engagement process Harare is currently negotiating with the west.
“The government is on an exercise of debt clearance “as we reengage with the international community,” he said.