ZANU PF activists in Umguza district, Matabeleland North province, have reportedly requested school development committees (SDCs) to submit names of teachers who have not reported for duty since schools opened for the first term on 7 February 2022 citing incapacitation.
A message circulating on the party’s WhatsApp group signed by one J Sibanda, the ZANU PF district co-ordinating committee member, read:
Morning Umguza, I request that SDCs must go to their schools and write down names of all teachers who did not turn up for work since the schools opened (Monday) up to Friday and submit the names of the school, and the names of the teachers to the constituency offices on February 16.
Forward this message to your respective (WhatsApp) groups.
Matabeleland North Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) chairperson Kwanele Ndlovu said they were not bothered by the messages. Said Ndlovu:
As teachers, we must not be afraid of any message that does not come from our employer, we must remain guided by our public service contractual obligations.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister, Richard Moyo, who is also ZANU PF provincial chairperson and Umguza legislator expressed ignorance over the matter. He said:
I am not aware of that as it is supposed to be done by the Public Service Commission.
I will find out from the constituency if they have such a programme.