Govt victimises teachers
SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO
Teachers’ unions have expressed concern over victimisation of incapacitated members by government, barely a month after the Public Service Commission ordered teachers to end their industrial action and return to classes, Business Times can report.
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said there was a witch hunt resulting in several teachers being victimised by the government.
He vowed to defend teachers’ rights.
“This habit of ambushing teachers should come to an end. We can’t have a situation whereby teachers are continuously victimised.
“We are not going to be mere spectators as the government does what pleases it,” Zhou told Business Times.
He added: “We are going to defend teachers` rights throughout. Very soon we will be instructing our lawyers to file an urgent application to the court.”
Zimbabwe Teachers Association president, Richard Gundani, said teachers are traumatised psychologically as they have been incapacitated for a long time.
“We have tried our level best to resolve this issue amicably, to include convincing the employer that teachers could not report for duty due to incapacitation but to no avail. We have therefore resolved to take legal action in engaging the employer,” Gundani said.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said the government should be “celebrating” teachers of Zimbabwe and not harassing them and victimising them.
“Instead of being thanked, teachers are facing a vindictive employer who is now punishing them for being incapacitated. As it stands, we wonder if the government is for the people as it is transforming itself into a terrorist grouping,” Masaraure said.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communications and advocacy, Taungana Ndoro dismissed claims of victimisation.
“There is no harassment at all. These are mere procedures. We cannot just have a situation whereby there is laissez fare in the organisation with teachers absconding themselves at free will. That’s unacceptable. We are enforcing discipline and professionalism,” Ndoro said.
Legal experts have, however, criticised the government saying the Public Service Commission cannot simply rush to expel teachers.
“They must first investigate the perceived act of misconduct; prefer charges if there is evidence warranting such action. It then suspends an individual where possible. The Public Service Commission has to conduct a disciplinary hearing. Dismissal can only be done after exhausting all these steps,” a Masvingo lawyer, Phillip Shumba of Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba legal practitioners said.
