The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has instructed its staff to disregard the collective job action called for by the Association of University Teachers (AUT).
In a memo dated March 22, 2025, signed by UZ registrar Munyaradzi Madambi, it was stated that any collective job action in response to AUT’s call would be considered unlawful, as the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Edgar Moyo, had issued a Show Cause Order for the university. Said Madambi:
<blockquote>
The University of Zimbabwe remains committed to engaging all its staff for improved welfare and conditions of service in line with government policy and its new transformational thrust as inspired by our Heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy.
</blockquote>
A “Show Cause Order” is a legal document that requires a party to explain or justify why a particular action should not be taken or why a specific order should not be enforced.
On Friday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo issued a Show Cause Order after University of Zimbabwe (UZ) authorities failed to meet lecturers’ salary demands.
AUT Secretary-General Borncase Mwakorera described the move as a “temporary setback” and said the association’s members would meet soon to discuss the next steps.
Lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe, represented by AUT, are calling for their salaries to be reinstated to pre-October 2018 levels.
They argue that in October 2018, their salaries were significantly reduced from US$2,250 per month for a junior lecturer to under US$300, plus a small local currency component worth less than US$200 when converted.
This reduction, an 87% cut, has left many lecturers struggling to meet basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, and even their children’s education.
AUT claims to have sent over 27 letters to the university since 2018 requesting salary adjustments but has received only one response.
The lecturers also allege that the university has not fulfilled certain contractual obligations, including paying for funeral policies and health insurance.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200039936/ignore-strike-uz-tells-disgruntled-staff">NewsDay</a>

Pindula News

The University of Zimbabwe is telling its lecturers to not go on strike even though their union, the Association of University Teachers, called for one. The government has warned the university that a strike would be illegal. The lecturers want their salaries restored to pre-2018 levels because they have been cut by 87%. The union has been trying to negotiate with the university for a while now, but they have not received a proper response. The lecturers are struggling to meet their basic needs and want the university to fulfill their contractual obligations.

University Of Zimbabwe Instructs Lecturers To Ignore AUT's Call For A Strike

Scores of lecturers from Zimbabwe’s State-owned universities are set to undergo ZANU PF ideological orientation at the party’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology under the banner Academics for Economic Development.
The Higher and Tertiary Education ministry has sent invitations to universities across the country for the workshop which will be held this week.
According to a letter written to universities seen by <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/university-lecturers-to-attend-zanu-pfs-ideology-classes/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, each university will send 20 lecturers to the workshop.
Universities are expected to pay for their members who will attend the orientation slated for 23 and 24 January at Midlands State University (MSU).
The total cost of meals and accommodation will be US$65 000 if the targeted number attends. Reads the letter:
<blockquote>
The Chitepo School of Ideology will be having a workshop for University and College Lecturers at the Midlands State University’s Main Campus from 23-24 January 2023.
The School has prepared a Basic Orientation Course which is designed to offer ideological orientation to all sectors of the Zimbabwean society, “living no one and no place behind” as directed by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa.
It is against this background, that the Ministry is cordially inviting a maximum of twenty (20) members of staff from each institution to attend this very important workshop.
… Midlands State University shall provide accommodation and meals (see attached breakdown of costs), for the duration of the stay.
Institutions are therefore required to make payments for their members directly to the hosting institution.
</blockquote>

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