TellZim reporter
The Zimbawe National Teachers Union (ZINATU) has urged its members to remain resolute and unshaken in the wake of suspensions issued by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) Dr Evelyn Ndlovu over their job action citing incapacitation as the main reason.
In a statement under-signed by Secretary General Livison Maunganidze issued on February 14, the union said that their members would only go back to respective work places after government meet a host of demands they are tabling.
“We will engage our friendly lawyers any time when the situation gets out of control. We can also engage human rights lawyers if push comes to shove. So do not get intimidated by a suspension that was brought into force to coerse all incapacitated teachers to their workplaces.
“We can only be in a position to consider going back to work on fulfillment of the following: reversal of suspension by the ministry, non-victimisation of our members, payment of US$ 540 into our accounts with effect from January 1, 2022, upward review of school fees allowances to the level of fees being charged by government boarding schools per term and payment of school fees directly into personal accounts as opposed to paying directly to school accounts,” read part of the statement.
It also added that their membership shall respect the decision by government to suspend them urging all suspended teachers not to go to schools unless they are served with communication nullifying the very suspension.
“In our collective voice, we have agreed henceforth, that we remain incapacitated and SUSPENDED with effect from ‘FORTHWITH’ as contained in our letter of suspension by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.
“We shall speak the same language with our colleagues for purposes of unity. We shall also engage our legal counsel in case of unwarranted victimization. If the level of misunderstanding and pandemonium escalates to unprecedented levels, we shall make an urgent appeal to higher offices in particular the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) for intervention,” added the statement.
The salary impasse between government and teacher unions has reached unprecedented levels as the latter boycotted lessons prompting the respective minister to issue suspension letters to such teachers for a period of three months with no salaries.
However, a number of lawyers have said the Minister or the ministry of education has no capacity to suspend teachers arguing that it is the prerogative of the Public Service Commission.
