Some government school teachers in the Alou Subdivision of the Lebialem Division are decrying the suspension of their July salaries, which they blame on their Divisional Officer (DO). They suspect the salaries were suspended because they failed to attend National Day celebrations on May 20.
Many teachers reported not receiving their salaries at all, while others noted significant deductions.
Messages shared with MMI revealed responses from the government payroll system, Antelope, stating: “Sorry, you do not have any salary for the month of July 2024.”
While some teachers suspect a technical glitch, others believe the Divisional Officer of Alou reported them to the Minister of Finance.
This action was allegedly taken because the teachers did not participate in the 20th May activities, a day observed in Cameroon as National Day.
This day is often marred by violence in the two Anglophone regions where separatists are fighting to create a breakaway nation.
Those who have participated in these activities have faced severe consequences from separatist fighters, including killings, kidnappings, and torture.
While top government officials, including Divisional Officers, have sufficient security to enable them to move freely on such days, teachers are left vulnerable.
This year, May 20th fell on a Monday, a day separatists have imposed, since 2017 as Ghost Town Day in English-speaking Cameroon.
Traditionally on this day, all activities, including transport and markets, are halted.
Teachers in Alou feared for their lives, especially as no security was provided to them, and thus could not risk participating in the celebrations.