No Christmas cheer for Zim's civil servants

Harare - Zimbabwe's civil servants have been given a Christmas shock, instead of a present - they' won't be getting bonuses.

President Robert Mugabe, who is out of the country on his annual holiday, said in a statement there wasn't enough money to pay the country's 248 000 civil servants bonuses.

The annual bonuses will only be paid to those working in the security forces.

"This is scandalous," Ladistious Zunde, a teachers' union leader told the Associated Press. "Our members cannot plan for anything in the face of uncertainty and the future is bleak since this has happened before and industries continue to close."

Zunde said the government promised to pay outstanding bonuses in January, but that he and other civil servants were doubtful.

Christmas spending is down this year, according to Harare street vendors.