A 9-year-old learner at Mafuko Primary School in Gwanda district in Matabeleland South has lost a case in which she had dragged teachers to court seeking an order barring teachers in public schools from embarking on strike.
The minor Amohelang Ulukile Dube, who was being represented by her grandmother, Senzeni Nyathi, through her lawyers Ndove and Associates, filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court in Bulawayo.
The case has however been dismissed. Speaking on the outcome, the jubilant Takavafira Zhou, the President of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said teachers also have rights. Pindula News presents Zhou’s statement on the matter.
Case Dismissed: Teachers are Workers with Rights too
While we await full details of a Judgement ruling over a case teachers had been taken to court by a child on the basis of right to education, it is noteworthy that the case has been dismissed with costs today in Bulawayo.
Teachers are workers too with rights and cannot be driven to school like cattle. Viva teachers’ power and unity of purpose. Full details of judgement would be conveyed to members at the earliest convenience.
In papers presented before the court, the pupil had cited the following as respondents: the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta), Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), the chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Dr Vincent Hungwe, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Professor Paul Mavima and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube.
Teachers were planning to strike over poor salaries and working conditions.
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