ARTUZ Members Spend The Weekend Behind Bars

Post on Sunday

Harare- The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe leader, Obert Masaraure and 16 other teachers were beaten and arrested in the Capital City following a demonstration over poor salaries.

The group of teachers had gathered at the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) building along Second Street IN Harare, where a group of police officers went and distracted the demonstration, beating protestor before arresting them.

Civic Society Groups, Teachers Unions in the Region and Citizens across the country have raised concern over the closure of citizens right to demonstrate as enshrined on section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Masaraure and other members peacefully demonstrated the day when talks between. Government and employees had reached another deadlock.

Teachers since 2018 have been asking to get their salaries in US dollars as the Zim dollar is continuously being eroded by inflation and the street market exchange rate is currently at $1:ZWL205.

Most teachers nd civil servants in Zimbabwe are earning a scant ZWL $25 000, equivalent to US $100.

Charges against the 17 arrested teachers are that of participating in gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace bigotry As defined in section 37(1)(a) of the Law (CORDIFICATION AND REFORM) ACT, Ch 9:23.

Upon their first appearance at the Magistrates Courtin Harare, State witness, a Police Officer, told the Court that his salary ws enough and sufficient for him and he did need any salary in US dollars.

“My salary is sufficient l, I dont need US dollar salary, even the bonuses we got from government in December mine is still in my account I don’t need it” he said.

The accused have been remanded in custody to tomorrow for their bail hearing, Trust Maanda and Tinashe Chonopfukutwa of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights are representing them.