A Gokwe teacher was reportedly arrested at the weekend after confronting the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Paul Mavima over poor working conditions.
The teacher, Stephen Mangoma of Mateta in Gokwe South district confronted Mavima who was in a bar in Gokwe on Friday. Mangoma allegedly said to Mavima:
I hate you, minister. You are responsible for our suffering and I hate Zanu PF.
Mavima was in Gokwe South constituency which he represents in Parliament and was visiting various party structures and supervising some of his community projects.
Mangoma was on Saturday tracked down to his base by police and was arrested. The accused’s relative told Newsday that Mangoma was likely to be charged with disorderly conduct.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said that Mangoma’s arrest is harassment.
It is ridiculous and purely harassment of teachers who decide to challenge the authority for not taking care of their needs. The government of Zanu PF is failing to provide our needs as teachers and when we ask for our needs, they arrest us.