The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA), the country’s biggest teacher organization and the Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe (PTUZ) have alleged that the Zimbabwe Police is intimating teachers and students.
It follows an action by police to arrest a teacher of the Njube High School who led his students to stage a protest over poor remuneration and conditions of service for teachers and hikes in school fees.
Zimbabwe Police has charged the teacher and some students who staged the demonstration this week.
The 153 Njube High School students hit the streets amidst singing, displaying cards with inscription calling for better service condition for teachers.
The form One, Three and Six students also carried inscription showing their displeasure at a recent fees hike.
“The high school children’s concerns are very genuine; these children have been commended for fighting from the teachers’ corner over the teachers’ conditions of service,” ZIMTA secretary-general Tapson Nganunu Sibanda said.
He added that the demonstration by the children was a testimony that the education sector had collapsed.
“Njube saga is a confirmation that not all is well in the education sector,” Sibanda said.
“We would like to urge the government to quickly look into the conditions of service for teachers as teachers are not reporting for work. They are severely incapacitated and the situation doesn’t need dealing with symptoms anymore, but needs to be dealt with wholesomely as expressed in our position paper.”
VIRAL VIDEO
In a video that has gone viral on Social Media, the students are seen kneeling and singing sorrowful songs.
They are also seen at a point throwing their fist in the air; a freedom and justice signature.
A student was also seen holding a portrait of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
According to a student “The fees have been hiked from $92-00 to $440-00, the teachers are earning low salaries, teachers not attending lessons due to their poor condition of service”.
But the Zimbabwe Police has described the demonstration as unlawful.
The Officer Commanding Bulawayo West District, Chief Superintendent Bizeki, members from the President’s office, military intelligence, prison intelligence and members of different media houses stormed the school on Tuesday to question students and arrest the teacher.
Promoting public violence
In a Police statement, Brian Mutsiba, a former prison officer, is accused of participating in a public gathering with the intent to promote public violence, breach of peace or bigotry and for insulting the flag.
According to a statement from the police, Mutsiba removed the portrait of President of Zimbabwe from the staff room and went on to un-hoist the national flag from its mast before he exited the school gate with the students he had mobilised for the unsanctioned march.
“The children who had participated in the demonstration voluntarily came into the open about their participation. They were invited to write reasons for their participation in the demonstration,” read the statement.
The statement further states that upon returning to the school campus, one of the pupils who had participated in the march hoisted back the flag.
“The children went back to their classes. The accused disappeared from the school upon arrival from the march. ZRP Njube attended the scene and called the pupils to assembly.”
The police officers reportedly collected the list of the students who took part in the demonstration and the headmaster of the school, Zibusiso Msimanga was asked to verify the names.
Some believe the demonstration is to create disaffection for President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa while others think otherwise.
“I don’t see any malice portrayed by these kids… They have genuine concerns, and in the spirit of democracy and freedom, they protested peacefully. A very good example of how to protest … With such kids, the future of Zimbabwe and Africa is safe!” Kudzai Mutisi said on social media.
Source: Africafeeds.com
