Teachers in rural schools are living in fear after suspected ZANU PF activists allegedly set bases at various schools across the country. The activists are said to be habitually interrogating teachers and other public servants over this week’s planned strike.
Civil servants gave the government a 14-day deadline to improve their welfare. The deadline expires today, January 24. Apex Council secretary David Dzatsunga said:
Having met today (yesterday) to interrogate the $300 million offer that government presented to us and the 22,7% cushion from the government, the Apex Council contents that the problem of incapacitation is yet to be addressed as the offers from government fall short, in our calculation, by $1 219 (real-time gross settlement or bond) for the lowest paid worker.
The Apex Council will not be liable for whatever happens thereafter…
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said that ZANU PF bases have been established in several provinces across the country. Said Majongwe:
We have noted with concern that there are Zanu PF party activists that are visiting several schools in rural Zimbabwe, getting names and log-in sheets.
Some of them are in Manicaland province, Mashonaland’s Chikomba and Mudzi, where Zanu PF activists have actually gone to set up bases in these schools and are taking note of which teacher is there or not, including in Matabeleland South and others.
We believe that it is not Zanu PF’s business to interfere with school operations. It is wrong, Zanu PF activists, in whatever capacity, have no business visiting schools and I think the Public Service Commission made this point very clear that it is not the duty and responsibility of any political party to visit schools and setting terms.
However, ZANU PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said that his party was not aware of the victimisation of civil servants. He said those that have been affected must report to the police.