Faith Duri
Workers and students unions have said the national shutdown that was scheduled for May 9 2022 unions as a sign of protest against the ever-rising cost of living coupled by exorbitant fees yielded the expected results which saw government buckling under pressure to introduce new economic measures in response.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) led by President Obert Masaraure through a statement paid tribute to the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) and said a clear message was sent to the responsible authority and thus a victory for the masses.
“The ARTUZ is deeply grateful to the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) for successfully rallying citizens from all walks of life to collectively protest against rising cost of living in a context of depressed incomes. May 9, 2022 is a victory day for the ordinary masses of our country and we should draw inspiration from today to escalate the fight for socio-economic justice,” read the statement by ARTUZ.
Masarure added that most schools did not carry out learning activities on the day.
“Most schools in urban areas are not offering services as they took heed of the shutdown call, there is no teaching and learning even in rural schools as teachers are either away from work or celebrating the impact of the shutdown at their respective workplaces,” said Masarure.
He however implored the heavy presence of security forces in towns and cities across the country anticipating to ruthlessly crush any potential march but no such incidences were recorded.
“No serious causalities have been recorded so far on the side of the civilians, very little material resources were also invested as citizens used digital tools to organise the protest, the brutal security apparatus never got an opportunity to brutalise the people who peacefully stayed home ,” added.
According to Masaraure a survey carried out by ARTUZ on May 9 showed that by 1000hrs the majority of people in urban areas across the country stayed at home and those in the informal economy began trooping to town around 0900hrs. Early morning from 0600hrs to 0900hrs major towns and cities were deserted, as no queues were noted at major bus termini.
ZUPCO buses were spotted driving half full and in rural areas the majority of the people were patiently waiting for news.
Zinasu chairperson for Masvingo Province Calvin Muvheyi who spoke on the day said universities and colleges in Masvingo province took heed to the call and were closed for learning.
“Yes, the shutdown is progressing positively because at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) in Mashava and Mucheke, we received information that students are not attending lectures and some lecturers are supporting this shutdown hence proving positive progression. It’s not only in Masvingo, but across the country all major universities participated,” said Muvheyi.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Dr Takavafira Zhou said Zinasu was in a better position to comment on the matter though he bemoaned lack of time to effectively consult their membership on the stay away.
“Zinasu is in a better position to address this, but the fact that soldiers and police are patrolling streets is a clear indicator that the message has reached home. It is unfortunate that there was no adequate time to make effective consultations within the structures of teachers but so many of them support the legitimate demands by citizens to government that is doing very little than leadership of poverty,” said Dr Zhou.
The march was reportedly aimed at imploring government to bring back kombis, end currency crisis, reduce the cost of living, reduce tertiary fees, and capacitate hospitals as well as increasing salaries and pension.
