Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
SIX members of the Rural Teachers Union in Zimbabwe (RTUZ) who were arrested on Thursday 18 August 2016 in Murehwa have today been released from custody.
The RTUZ members who include Obert Masaraure, Lynette Mudhewe, Pride Mukono, Robson Ruhanya, Brighton Makunike and Robson Chere, had walked for eighty (80) kilometers from Mutawatawa with the intention of handing over a petition with their demands at the education district office in Murewa, before proceeding to walk to the Ministry of Education offices in Harare. They were intercepted by police in Murehwa, arrested and charged with committing ‘public nuisance’ as defined in section 46 (2v) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Five of the RTUZ members, Lynette Mudhewe, Pride Mukono, Robson Ruhanya, Brighton Makunike and Robson Chere were released by police who will summon them to appear in court on a later date. Masaraure was also charged with contravening section 23 of the Public Order and Security Act. He is accused of failing to notify the police of the RTUZ march. He appeared before Magistrate Mudonhi who released him on $50 bail. Masaraure’s will appear in court again on 2 September 2016 on routine remand.
ZLHR member lawyer, Gift Mtisi represented the RTUZ members.
In their petition, the rural teachers are demanding a review of their working conditions that include; a monthly salary above the poverty datum line, an upward review of rural allowance at 100% of the salary, cessation of the non-transparent pension contributions, restoration of vacation leave and full maternity for teachers on probation. Further, the teachers are also demanding infrastructural development in rural schools and communities, an end to all forms of violence against teachers, a solution to the cash crisis, full salaries for student teachers and the awarding of fully recognized school status to all satellite schools as well as the dissolution of the incumbent Government and fresh elections if their demands are not met.
Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights