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The City of Bulawayo (CoB) advised that December 2025 salaries will be paid after the Christmas holidays.
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The primary reasons cited for the delay are lower revenue collection, increased liabilities from November salary delays, unexpected expenses, and a limited time frame before the holidays.
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The memorandum, dated December 5, 2025, was issued by the Human Capital Director to key departmental heads and union representatives.
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Workers’ representatives, including the CoB Workers Association (COZWWA), have criticised the salary delay while questioning the Council’s ability to fund a recent retreat to Masvingo.
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CoB acknowledged the inconvenience caused and stated that efforts are underway to minimize the delay.
The City of Bulawayo’s Human Capital Department issued a cautionary advisory on December 5, 2025, informing staff that their December salaries would be disbursed only after the Christmas holidays. The communication, which was sent to the Town Clerk, Finance Director, and heads of various services, cited multiple financial constraints. These challenges include a significant dip in revenue collection, increased financial liabilities stemming from salary delays in November, unexpected expenses, and the compressed time available for processing payments ahead of the holiday period. The Council acknowledged the seriousness of the delay, noting that efforts are in “due course” to mitigate the situation and promised to update all stakeholders without delay.
The announcement has triggered immediate backlash from council workers and their representatives. The City of Bulawayo Workers Association (COZWWA) publicly questioned the Council’s priorities, pointing out the contradiction between the cited financial deficit and the Council’s recent decision to host a Strategic Planning Workshop in Masvingo. Council reports confirm that a crucial 2026-2030 Strategic Planning Workshop was indeed scheduled for December 8-14 in Masvingo, a location chosen despite pleas by Mayor David Coltart to host the event closer to Bulawayo. This perceived disparity—failing to pay workers’ salaries on time while incurring costs for an out-of-town retreat—has fuelled tension and speculation regarding the management of public funds.
For many Bulawayo City Council employees, the delay means facing the festive season without their expected wages, an outcome that will severely impact their ability to meet traditional Christmas expenses and financial obligations. The Financial Services Department, which advised on the delay, has effectively conceded that the revenue inflows are currently insufficient to manage the City’s operational costs, a perennial issue faced by Zimbabwean local authorities. The controversy underlines the persistent financial crises affecting public sector workers in Zimbabwe, who often bear the brunt of local government revenue collection shortfalls and spending choices.
Timeline
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December 4, 2025: Communication received by the Human Capital Department from the Finance Director advising of the expected salary delay.
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December 5, 2025: City of Bulawayo Human Capital Department issues a memorandum to all Directors and key stakeholders advising of the post-Christmas salary payment.
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December 8–14, 2025: The City of Bulawayo’s 2026–2030 Strategic Planning Workshop is scheduled to take place in Masvingo, a point of public contention.
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Recent Past: City of Bulawayo Workers Association (COZWWA) posts criticism on social media, questioning the Council’s financial management.
Key Players
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City of Bulawayo (CoB) Human Capital Director: Signed the cautionary advisory memorandum.
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CoB Financial Services Department: Advised that December salaries would be paid after the holidays due to financial constraints.
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COZWWA (City of Bulawayo Workers Association) & ZUCWU/PAMAWU: Worker representatives who were copied on the memo and have voiced criticism.
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CoB Councillors/Management: Criticised for holding a Strategic Planning Workshop in Masvingo while salaries are delayed.
