Regional Human Capital Operations Manager – Human Capital x2 (Harare)

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ABAP Developer: Level 9 (Harare)

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Staff Development Fellow: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology x4 (Harare)

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Student Development Officers (Harare)

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Locum Pharmacists (Mutare & Ngezi)

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Team Leader (Mutare)

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The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has said approximately 128 teachers are dying each month across the country due to stress caused by low salaries and poor working conditions.
In a statement, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said that the meagre salaries have led to a concerning rise in cases of suicide, divorce, and domestic violence among teachers. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
Poverty and its resultant psycho-social effects are killing many teachers across Zimbabwe.
There has been a quantum leap of suicides, fatal domestic quarrels and divorces as a result of poor salaries in Zimbabwe.
Our research has shown that on average two teachers are dying in every district every month because of poverty and psycho-social stress. Cumulatively, 128 teachers are dying every month and 1,536 every year…
There is an urgent need to intervene by the line ministry, Public Service Commission (PSC) and government to ameliorate the high rate of attrition.
The intervention must be in the form of paying teachers a living wage rather than the current starvation wages they are receiving.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa will go down in history as a President who caused the death of many teachers in Zimbabwe through starvation.
</blockquote>
Before October 2018, teachers and other civil servants earned approximately US$540 per month. However, in October 2018, their salaries were converted to the local currency.
Currently, teachers are receiving around US$250 per month, plus less than ZiG2 000. The ZiG, however, cannot buy fuel and basic grocery items from the popular tuckshops.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Approximately 128 teachers are dying each month in Zimbabwe because their salaries are very low. The poor salaries are causing stress, leading to suicides, divorces, and domestic violence among teachers. The government needs to pay teachers more money so they can live better lives. Before October 2018, teachers earned more money, but now they are receiving very little, which is not enough to buy basic things like fuel and groceries. The president is being blamed for the teachers' deaths because of the low salaries. Teachers are asking for help from the government to improve their salaries so they can live better lives.

"128 Teachers Dying Every Month Due To Poor Salaries"

Takavafira Zhou, the president of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), says civil servants are demanding payment of their salaries in US dollars, rather than the newly-introduced Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.
He is of the view that the ZiG is destined to fail due to its lack of convertibility across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Zhou told <a href="https://tellzim.com/zig-another-currency-crisis/">TellZim News</a> that Zimbabwe is not yet ready to have a local currency due to low productivity in key sectors of the economy. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
We are not comfortable with salary payable in local currency unless it is acceptable in the region and at border posts as well as payable across other sectors in the government. If that is the case then it could be permissible to pay civil servants’ salaries in local currency.
Our perception and conviction is that Zimbabwe is not ready for a local currency and trying to pay civil servants in local currency would be tragic because very soon the local currency would show beyond any reasonable doubt that it is not applicable and is of limited longevity and applicability.
The long-term aspect is that we must continue to pay salaries in USD. The whole basis of paying in local currency is based on industrial recovery and balance between exports and imports, all other political rhetoric claims of a viable local currency have limited longevity and applicability and very soon indicators will show that the local currency is not viable.
</blockquote>
Zhou said the Government should have confidence in its currency by regularising the payment of taxes and other government services in the ZiG currency. He said:
<blockquote>
If the new ZiG currency is of value we must see the government regularizing payment of taxes and other government services in new currency but sadly the government has continued to demand the payment of lots of these services in USD. It is also doubtful the new currency will be used in the SADC region.
Our economy has become an enlarged supermarket for products from China, Botswana and South Africa. As long as the new currency cannot be used by traders to buy commodities from these other countries it will be of limited validity and applicability.
Government is not consistent in terms of policy formulation and application. This is an indicator of an oxymoron, if the government has confidence as they articulating that the new currency is stronger, they should then be systematizing and ensuring that taxes and other government services are done using the local currency.
Unless and until we produce, re-kit our industry and balance exports and imports it is doubtful that the new currency will stabilize or would be applicable because currency can only be backed by these factors.
</blockquote>
Development economist Prosper Chitambara said the government should set a time frame on when citizens can be able to pay for other government services including fuel payments in ZiG. Said Chitambara:
<blockquote>
Fifty per cent of the taxes are going to be paid using ZiG but with time there is a need to put a clear benchmark on when we will expect to pay for other government services in local currency and also including the payment of fuel but is something that must be done in a planned and systematic way but also in a gradual way within the framework of the country’s de-dollarization wherein we are expecting that by 2030 we should have reverted to the local currency.
It is important as it helps in terms of increasing the demand for the Zimbabwe Gold which will help the ZiG to stabilize and increase the value as demand increases.
There are arbitrage opportunities that have been caused by the differences in the exchange rate between the official and the black market rate.
If we can address that as I am hoping that we have liberalized that will help. The fact that demand for USD remains very high and the formal market may not probably be able to satisfy that demand and the black market will remain.
The challenge that we have is that even individuals who are renting out properties would not accept ZiG so there is a double standard; when they are paying for services whether it is local council rates they would want to pay in local currency because of the arbitrage opportunities as a result of the black market premium.
</blockquote>
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) recently conceded that ZiG will not be recognized internationally, saying it will work to strengthen the currency to attain full convertibility.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Teachers Want US Dollar Salaries, Not ZiG - PTUZ

Civil servants have said funeral policies and medical aid contributions are taking up a large portion of their earnings, leaving them with little money for essential needs like food, rent, school fees, and transportation. Service providers for medical aid and funeral policies have been increasing their prices to protect themselves from losses caused by inflation and the rapid depreciation of the Zimbabwe dollar.
Civil servants, who recently asked the government to reconsider taxes on their US dollar salary component, are now facing a dire situation. Their COVID-19 allowances were converted into taxable earnings, but the heavy taxation has rendered the money meaningless.
In interviews with <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200023181/were-starving-govt-workers-cry">NewsDay</a>, civil servants expressed frustration with their employer for failing to alleviate the rising cost of living. The Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions, David Dzatsunga, said that deductions, especially for insurance and debts, are eating into the Zimbabwe dollar component of their salaries. Some workers are receiving figures that are less than their actual salaries after deductions. Dzatsunga was quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
The issue is that the RTGS component of our salaries is now getting eaten up by deductions, especially from insurance and debts.
All that is taking up a lot of our RTGS component to the extent that workers are getting figures which are actually minus their salaries after the deductions.
The situation as it stands is very critical and it requires that the employer really moves very quickly to meet up and resolve the situation.
</blockquote>
Teachers have accused funeral policy and medical aid companies of deducting substantial amounts from their already meagre wages without consulting them. Some members received notifications of deductions as high as ZWL$500,000 and above, while their Zimbabwe dollar component does not exceed ZWL$900,000. This leaves them with very little money.
Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe’s president, Takafira Zhou, highlighted that their members’ earnings are inadequate due to heavy taxation. He called for a basic salary of US$540, housing and transport allowances, and education support. He said:
<blockquote>
The current basic salary of US$300 is grossly inadequate considering that it is now taxed and suffers heavy deductions from medical aid and other deductions from teachers as responsible parents.
The best form of investment is in the education of pupils and those entrusted with the nurturing of the youths or pupils must be motivated so that they engineer a skill’s revolution that can foster development, innovation and dynamism so crucial for sustainable development of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Civil servants are urging the government to address their salaries and living conditions urgently. They emphasize the importance of investing in education and view the underpayment of teachers as a detriment to the country’s future development.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe’s president, Obert Masaraure, called on the government to treat the issue with urgency and encouraged civil servants to fight for their rights and dignity.
Zimbabwe is currently facing hyperinflation, making the cost of living unaffordable for many. Calls for dollarisation have grown, but the government has resisted, instead announcing plans to introduce a gold-backed currency.
In recent years, government employees regularly went on strike to push the government to restore their pre-October 2018 salaries. However, the government says it doesn’t have the financial capacity to pay them at least US$540. Workers believe that the government does have the means but chooses to prioritise other matters, such as buying expensive cars for traditional leaders, to secure their loyalty, particularly during elections. The government justifies these car purchases for chiefs and Members of Parliament (MPs) as part of their employment conditions.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Government Workers Struggle As Funeral Policies And Medical Aid Consume Earnings

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has described the move by the Government to convert civil servants’ US$300 COVID-19 allowance into a salary as a mere “tissue of misrepresentation”, saying it will not improve teachers’ welfare.
The decision to turn the US$300 allowance into a salary was announced by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Mthuli Ncube during the 2024 National Budget presentation.
Last week, members of the uniformed forces and the health sector received the allowances as proper salaries amid indications that State employees are now getting less than in previous years as their USD earnings are now being taxed.
Some unions representing civil servants, such as the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA), welcomed the conversion of the allowances into pensionable salaries.
However, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said the move was not a product of collective bargaining but was “a product of one-armed banditry”. Said Zhou (via <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/teachers-scoff-at-us300-salary-a-product-of-one-armed-banditry-says-union/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>):
<blockquote>
Talk that the new salary will transform the teachers’ plight. This is high-sounding nothing and tissue of misrepresentation considering a myriad of taxes and increases announced by the Finance Minister that cumulatively heap burning coals upon the heads of the workers.
Salaries must be a result of binding collective bargaining and not a product of one-armed banditry, and primitive exploitation of the employer in a manner tantamount to slavery.
It is only through logical disputation, broad engagement and social dialogue that there could be industrial harmony in schools…
We therefore call for the urgent restoration of US$540 basic salary of teachers, payment of US$80 education allowance in US$, and other host allowances such as infancy, class teacher, bloated class, A level and responsibility allowances in US$s.
</blockquote>
Over the past several years, civil servants have been demanding that the Government raise workers’ salaries to pre-October 2018 levels of US$540 per month for the least-paid employee.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Civil Servants' US$300 Salary "A Product Of One-armed Banditry", Says PTUZ

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Felix_Mhona/">Felix Mhona</a>, has requested that rural communities provide a list of gravel roads that require repairs. He also asked them to specify the amount of fuel needed for the repairs. However, Mberengwa residents are expressing their desire for tarred roads instead. They believe that having tarred roads would be more beneficial and convenient for them.
Mhona, made the call during the question and answer session in parliament, on Wednesday while responding to Tinashe “Goga” Shumba, a member of the ruling party ZANU PF and a representative for Mberengwa Central. Shumba had raised concerns about the difficulty of travelling on these gravel roads during the rainy season, especially since they connect homes, clinics, and hospitals in rural areas. Shumba said:
<blockquote>
My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. What is the government policy on re-gravelling rural roads? There is the Rural Rehabilitation Programme.
They are resurfacing roads, but they are not putting the gravel. During the rainy season, these roads are not accessible yet they lead us to critical public institutions like hospitals and clinics.
</blockquote>
In response, Minister Mhona encouraged rural communities to communicate with the government through the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) and Rural District Councils (RDC). He mentioned that the ministry is considering taking additional measures instead of solely relying on their department for assistance. He said:
<blockquote>
We are saying let us reason together, do your compilation of the roads that you require to be graded and the amount of fuel that you require so that we start funding for fuel through your rural district council and through RIDA, so that you will also be in a position to rehabilitate your roads before the advent of the rains.
</blockquote>
Gravel roads need to be maintained regularly, but according to Shumba, they are deteriorating further as the rainy season approaches. The minister agrees with Shumba’s concerns, stating that although they grade the roads, some of them have become weaker and need to be re-graveled first. However, he acknowledges that even after grading, the roads often end up in poor condition again when it rains.
Shumba’s question to the Minister of Transport, however, failed to inspire Mberengwa residents. One of those is Dr<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Takavafira_Zhou/"> Takavafira Zhou</a>, the president of the Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ). He said:
<blockquote>
I certainly don’t see any expertise in this question from an MP of Mberengwa that is rich in mineral resources and has nothing to show for this. The 3 Mps from Mberengwa (<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tafanana_Zhou/">Tafanana Zhou</a>, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tasara_Hungwe/">Tasara Hungwe</a> and Shumba) must lobby for the tar macadimisation of our roads by companies looting our minerals such as lithium, chrome, lime, platinum, antimony, emeralds, copper etc. Apparently, Goga is just staying or mining adjacent to Chinese looting lime from Mberengwa. Why is he failing to move a motion in parliament at the plundering nature of Chinese and Kuvimba and the destruction of roads? Why is he and other MPs from Mberengwa not lobbying for local processing of lime, lithium, chrome, platinum, emeralds etc in order to add value to Mberengwa and beneficiation, I wonder?
</blockquote>

<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2022/11/05/lithium-rush-in-mberengwa-police-order-miners-to-vacate-the-area/">Lithium Rush In Mberengwa: Police Order Miners To Vacate The Area</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/07/04/woman-jailed-5-years-for-illegal-possession-of-emeralds/">Woman Jailed 5 Years For Illegal Possession Of Emeralds</a></li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mberengwa/">Mberengwa District</a>, located at the border of three provinces – <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Midlands_Province/">Midlands</a>, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Masvingo_Province/">Masvingo</a> and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Matabeleland_South_Province/">Matabeleland South</a> – faces a significant infrastructure challenge as it lacks tarred roads. In the 1990s, during Byron Hove’s era, there was an effort to tar the Mberengwa-West Nicholson road, a strategic route that would reduce travel distance for haulage trucks and buses heading to Zambia by nearly 100 kilometres. However, progress has been slow, with only 13 kilometres of the road being tarred until 2018 when construction resumed. Since then, an additional 22 kilometres have been completed, reaching Yorks township.
Mberengwa is known for its vast mineral resources, including lithium, chrome, lime, platinum, antimony, gold, and emeralds. However, despite mining activities by both local and foreign companies, the district remains one of the poorest in the country. This raises concerns about the equitable distribution of resources and the need for effective governance and transparency in the mining sector. It is essential for the government and relevant stakeholders to address these issues and ensure that the district’s mineral wealth translates into tangible development and improved living conditions for the local communities. Additionally, investing in road infrastructure would not only enhance transportation and connectivity but also open up opportunities for economic growth and development in Mberengwa and Zimbabwe at large.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Minister Asks Rural MP To List Gravel Roads For Repairs, Residents Demand Tarred Roads

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Progressive_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)</a> has criticised the government for unilaterally increasing workers’ salaries by 100%. In a statement seen by Pindula News, PTUZ president, Dr <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Takavafira_Zhou">Takavafira Zhou</a> said the government communicated the increase amid negotiations. He said: 
<blockquote>
That the government team of negotiators in the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/National_Joint_Negotiating_Council_(NJNC)">NJNC (National Joint Negotiating Council) </a> failed to turn up for a pencilled meeting on 20 March is unfortunate in a country 43 years after attaining independence. Needless to mention that it was the government team of negotiators that had postponed the meeting from 17th of March. As if that was not enough a government document dated 15 March, from Sec for Finance &amp; Economic Development (<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/George_Guvamatanga">G. Guvamatanga)</a> to the chairman of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Civil_Service_Commission">Public Service Commission</a> (Dr V. Hungwe) seems to communicate the government’s official position on salary increments. What is worrisome is that authentic communication is made before the conclusion of negotiations, an indicator of unfair labour practice on the part of the government.
The government’s ultimate unilateral offer comprises:
1. A 100% remuneration review of ZWL emoluments from the Deputy Director and below for all sectors.
2. An increase of cushion and covid allowance from US$200 to US$250 across all sectors excluding the health sector
3. A US$80 teaching allowance to every teacher (indexed to interbank rate)
4. An increase in cushion and covid allowance for govt pensioners from US$90 to US$100.
5. Free Primary Education up to a maximum of 3 children at govt schools
6. Gvt funded funeral insurance framework
</blockquote>
Some context:
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/civil-servants-granted-100-salary-increment/">Figures circulated in the communique</a> are a product of figures discussed in the second meeting with workers’ representatives.
The government had initially offered a 50% ZWL salary review and an increase of cushion and COVID-19 allowances from US$200 to US$220.
Teachers and the rest of the civil service are demanding US$540 which they were being paid until October 2018.
The security sector salary review and cushion allowances are with effect from 1 February and 1 March 2023, respectively and are already being paid. 
On the contrary, teachers and the rest of the civil servants’ salary review, cushion and COVID-19 allowances are postdated to 1 April 2023. 
Zhou described this as “naked discrimination” and “a monument of Zimbabwean labour injustice.” He added: 
<blockquote>
We don’t need to have access to guns in order to be treated in the same manner as our brothers and sisters in the security sector. We don’t begrudge their salaries but outright discrimination as professionals in the total flouting of our national constitution.
As Ptuz we want, therefore, to reiterate that it would be naive to blame negotiators for government unilateralism and discrimination against teachers and the rest of the civil servants. The blame must be laid squarely on the government’s desire to generate industrial disharmony that militates against productivity in the workplace. Above all, govt is undermining trade unions in Zimbabwe in a dangerous attempt to capture workers by false paternalistic antics.
</blockquote>
2018 to date:
Zimbabwe has experienced significant economic challenges in recent years, including high inflation rates and currency devaluation. 
These challenges have led to widespread wage cuts and layoffs in many sectors, leaving many workers struggling to make ends meet.
In 2018, the government of Zimbabwe announced a salary increase for civil servants, which was seen as a positive development by many workers. However, the impact of this increase was limited by inflation and the devaluation of the Zimbabwean dollar, which has continued to depreciate against major currencies. 
Over the years, healthcare workers, teachers, and civil servants have embarked on industrial action demanding better pay and working conditions. 
The strikes were met with a heavy-handed response from the government. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

PTUZ Criticises Government As Workers' Salaries Increase By 100%

Teachers have written to the government requesting a meeting over salaries with the hope that they will get a rescue package before schools open for the first term of 2023 on Monday 09 January.
The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Progressive_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)</a> said it would deliver a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) this Tuesday demanding an urgent meeting to discuss salary issues.
PTUZ president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Takavafira_Zhou">Takavafira Zhou</a> told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
We have written a letter today (yesterday) to the PSC requesting an urgent meeting before the end of this week to solve our grievances, and we will deliver it today.
The most important thing is to resolve the issue of salaries and conditions of service because no one can turn up for work using an eroded December salary. We have hinted at getting a rescue package before schools open and it is our hope that they will agree to our pleas.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)</a> president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a> said they had resolved to go on strike when schools open next week. He is cited by NewsDay as saying:
<blockquote>
(Finance minister) <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube">Mthuli Ncube</a> has killed all the hope for a successful opening of schools for the first term of 2023. The teachers remain trapped in the challenges of 2022.
We conducted a strike ballot asking teachers to decide whether they wanted to go back to work under the current salary structure. 99% of the 52 340 teachers who have participated so far are in favour of going on strike.
We are engaging other unions to see if it’s possible to go on a united nationwide strike. If union bureaucrats choose not to participate, we will be engaging in a high impact collective action led from below by the teachers themselves.
</blockquote>
Ncube recently said the government had “tried its best” to improve the welfare of teachers and other civil servants given the circumstances.
In a statement, Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads secretary-general Munyaradzi Majoni said educators want to return to work, but need more pay to sustain themselves.
Workers have over the years demanded US$540 or better.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Teachers "Hope" To Get A Rescue Package Before Schools Open

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Takavafira_Zhou">Takavafira Zhou</a>, the president of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Progressive_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)</a> has said the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) must stop taking teachers for granted amid reports that examination markers have not been paid their allowances.
<blockquote>
<h2>Zimsec Must Stop Taking Teachers for Granted</h2>
20 February 2022
The responsibility of running a country’s examination centre is not child play. ZIMSEC must stop forthwith treating teachers who are examiners as if they are of no account.
Reports that we are receiving across the country are unenviable. That teachers who checked in for marking as far back as 9 February have not been paid their T &amp; S is unfortunate in a situation where markers are not in residential accommodation. We have also received reports of examiners becoming stressed and collapsing and dying because of Zimsec ill-treatment. We are aware that examiners started boycotting marking examinations yesterday, and that the boycott continued today. Zimsec must urgently resolve the quandary teachers are facing or else face the wrath of teachers. The naked exploitation where Zimsec unilaterally changes rates communicated to examiners at marking centres must stop forthwith. Zimsec must also stop its systematic targeting of examiners who give positive criticisms tailor-made to nourish Zimsec leadership.
Zimsec must abandon its one-armed banditry nature and embrace dialogue that promotes industrial harmony and productivity. Examiners must also wake up from their deep slumber and demand better treatment from ZIMSEC.
Dr Takavafira M. Zhou, PTUZ President
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

ZIMSEC Must Stop Taking Teachers For Granted - Takavafira Zhou

The President of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Dr Takavafira Zhou has accused the government of taking failing to prioritise the safety of learners and teachers.
He said the government is waiting for schools to be severely affected by the virus before it decides to seal them off. He said:
<blockquote>The government is adamant that in spite of an acute increase of COVID-19 cases among school-age children, schools will continue to operate. Over 30 schools and over 600 pupils and teachers have been affected, and the government seems to have adopted a one-size-fits-all approach in which it waits for COVID-19 to run riot in a school and then close the school.</blockquote>
His remarks come at the backdrop of a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in schools.
Some learning institutions including John Tallach and Matobo High Schools and Kwekwe Polytechnic have been closed after learners and teachers had tested positive for the coronnavirus.
Although calls for the closure of schools have increased recently, the government seems determined to see the current term through.
When schools were reopened on 28 September this year, some stakeholders claimed schools were not ready but the government insisted all mechanisms to curb the spread of the coronnavirus were in place.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/12/govt-criticised-over-one-size-fits-all-approach-to-covid-19-at-schools/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

Govt Waits For COVID-19 To Run Riot In Schools - Zhou

Some of the opposition MDC Alliance officials in the Midlands province including members of the provincial executive, the youth wing, women’s wing, MPs, and councillors are reportedly in hiding after being hunted by suspected state security agents.
The reports come amid deployment of security forces to frustrate planned anti-government protests scheduled for this Friday.
Speaking to NewZimbabwe, one of the activists, Sekai Marashe, an MDC Alliance Kwekwe town youth official said she is hiding as she feared arrest. She said:
<blockquote>I was tipped off that the members of the State Security were looking for me. I was advised to find a safe house to lie low since their visit had sinister motives.
I was, therefore, forced to go into hiding.</blockquote>
Another MDC top politician and Mbizo MP, Settlement Chikwinya, also confirmed he had gone hiding ahead of Friday protests.
The development was confirmed by MDC Alliance Midlands provincial spokesperson Takavafira Zhou who said State security agents were targeting their membership in the Midlands province.
He added that the party’s officials were being targeted as a result of the false assumption that it was the MDC Alliance that had called this Friday’s anti-government demonstration.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mdc-alliance-midlands-activists-in-hiding-ahead-of-anti-corruption-protests/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe</a>

MDC Alliance Officials Go Underground After Being Hunted By Suspected State Security Agents

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