Outspoken Norton MP Temba Mliswa, (Independent), has criticised the Government for suspending teachers and headmasters in his constituency, saying authorities’ response is archaic.
Mliswa vowed to stand with the suspended educators whom he said have been dedicated to their profession even during difficult times. He said:
Heard that some teachers and headmasters in Norton were served with suspension letters. It’s pathetic of Govt.
It is the one that has failed to pay them adequately and when they complain it comes in with a heavy hand. They cannot be fired or suspended.
The response by Govt is archaic, you don’t do that in this era. I will stand by them. They have been dedicated through very difficult times and I promise to fight with them through it all.
I will get the names and we strategise on the way forward to fight this grave injustice.
The former ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman queried why “corrupt individuals” are moving freely yet the Government descends heavily on poor civil servants. Added Mliswa:
As Norton we had very great results and after that one gets suspended because they need to be paid more? What’s that?
We have corrupt individuals out there to whom nothing has been done and yet we target poorly paid civil servants.
Our Government is taking advantage of our people being said to be passive. But it’s enough. We can’t be quiet at such injustice.
Last week, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Evelyn Ndlovu, suspended all teachers who did not report for duty when schools opened on 7 February, for three months without pay.
The suspended teachers did not report for duty citing incapacitation while demanding that the Government restores their pre-October 2018 salaries of US$540 per month.