While many Zimbabweans are ushering in 2026 with hope, employees at the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) have been dealt a heavy blow. The rail giant has officially confirmed its inability to pay December 2025 salaries and annual bonuses on schedule, leaving thousands of households in financial limbo.
The announcement, which has sparked concern across the transport sector, highlights the deepening fiscal distress at the state-owned enterprise.
Financial Constraints Hit Home
In a confidential internal memorandum dated December 31, 2025, NRZ Acting General Manager Dube Kaguru revealed that the parastatal is currently hamstrung by “financial challenges.” Although the company managed to settle November obligations, the surge in year-end costs has proven insurmountable for the current cash flow.
Kaguru emphasized that the failure to meet the bonus obligation was a direct result of the liquidity crunch currently stifling the organization’s operations.
In an effort to manage expectations, the NRZ leadership has provided a staggered payment plan for the outstanding arrears.
-
December Salary Commencement: Processing is expected to begin during the week of January 5, 2026.
-
Final Salary Deadline: Management anticipates that all staff will receive their dual-currency components (50% ZWG and 50% USD) by January 23, 2026.
-
Bonus Status: The 13th-cheque will only be considered after the basic salary obligations for December have been fully met.
“Members of staff are once again implored to continue to be patient with the organisation during this challenging period,” Kaguru stated in the memo.
Back-to-School Anxiety
The timing of the delay is particularly precarious for workers. With schools set to reopen in mid-January, the delay until the 23rd means many NRZ families may struggle to cover tuition fees, uniforms, and stationery.
The 50/50 salary split between the local Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) currency and the US Dollar was intended to provide a buffer against inflation, but without timely disbursement, workers remain vulnerable to the rising costs of living.