Harare, (New Ziana) -University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturers on Thursday began a two-day strike to press for a salary increase while exposing alleged financial impropriety by administrative executives.
Led by the Association of University Teachers (AUT), the industrial action follows the granting of a High Court order affirming the constitutional right of the lecturers to protest.
High Court Judge Justice Benjamin Chikowore on Saturday granted the AUT the right to go on strike as provided under the constitution, agreeing that the lecturers and their supporters can sing, dance, wave placards, conduct prayers and have solidarity speeches.
He consented to safeguards proffered by both the AUT and the police to ensure peaceful demonstrations namely that the AUT appoints two liaison persons for engagement and consultation with the police as well as have marshals to monitor the protest.
It was also agreed that the picket would be confined to UZ Churchill Avenue main entrance and Mount Pleasant main entrance.
The ruling followed an urgent High Court application by AUT seeking an interdict barring the Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba, the UZ, Ministers Ziyambi Ziyambi (Home Affairs) and Fredrich Shava (Higher and Tertiary Education) from disrupting and interfering with their protest.
Last week, UZ lecturers went on strike and picketed outside the campus, before the police moved swiftly and disrupted the demonstrations and arresting some AUT leaders.
The arrested AUT leaders Boncase Mwakorera, Obvious Vengeyi and Desmond Ndedzu have since been released after paying fines of US$15 each for “disorderly conduct” with their lawyers indicating their intention to challenge the convictions.
The lecturers are demanding a minimum monthly salary of US$2 500 for junior staff, a restoration of wages that the were earning before the 2018 economic collapse which saw the country abandoning its local currency.
At the moment the lecturers are reportedly earning US$230 per month as well as a portion in the new Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.
Union leaders have gone further, accusing senior UZ administrators of abusing university resources for personal gain with AUT secretary general Vengeyi alleged that executive staff received perks including luxury vehicles, monthly rental allowances of up to US$2 000, and grocery hampers sourced from the university farm.
“They are enjoying while we are suffering,” he said, citing recent vehicle deliveries and lavish spending amidst deteriorating staff conditions.” he said.
He also alleged that the dire financial situation has led some lecturers to accept bribes, including fuel coupons and money, particularly from politically connected students.
AUT President Dr. Chamburuka said the strike is about dignity and fairness.
“We demand a fair wage, a decent wage, a living wage,” he said, warning that continued neglect of educators risks undermining the credibility of the country’s higher education system.
Meanwhile, the university administration has not responded publicly to the strike, which has affected students as classes have been suspended and academic schedules disrupted.
New Ziana
