By Erick Banda | The government has announced that it has struck a deal with civil servants that will give them a massive pay rise. In the statement, the state-employer promises that it will begin its first payments a few days before the upcoming 2018 elections.

The government will also pay cash to teachers for their accrued vacation leave in excess of 123 days on a staggered basis from July to December 2018

The announcement read, in part: “The Apex Council had a meeting with the Government today (yesterday) at Livingstone House in Harare to iron out outstanding issues.

“After a protracted meeting which almost took the negotiations to their knees, the two sides later agreed on the Government’s latest offer of 17,5 percent as a special civil service salary that covers basic salary, housing and transport allowances. It will be paid to the members of the civil service with effect from July 2018.”