The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition reports that the union’s Secretary General, Raymond Majongwe, is under threat by state agents for allegedly encouraging boycotts of examinations.
The Crisis Coalition said in a statement that Moses Mhaka, the Gokwe office coordinator, was threatened with death if he continued operations.
The PTUZ has been at the forefront of a teachers’ strike calling for salaries that counter the hyper inflationary environment, and for better working conditions. The critical nature of the education sector has led the teachers’ union to call on the authorities to postpone exams, as there has not been a conducive learning environment in government schools.
There is growing concern that the Mugabe regime is returning to business as usual and is reverting to its normal tactics of suppressing dissent, as the political deadlock continues with no end in sight.
Scores of activists were violently silenced in Harare on Monday during demonstrations demanding a quick resolution of the political impasse; and in Bulawayo Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu continue to be held at the Mlondolozi Female Prison. The leaders of Women of Zimbabwe Arise were arrested two weeks ago for leading a peaceful protest demanding food and the formation of a new government.
Meanwhile South African civil society groups gathered in Johannesburg on Tuesday to mobilise support for the detained WOZA leaders and also to condemn the rights abuses taking place in Zimbabwe. Carrie Shelves, the programmes coordinator of a South African NGO, People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), said the groups gathered to raise voices of alarm to their President, about what is happening against the human rights defenders, especially during what is supposed to be the middle of a peace-deal.
She said: “There was an immediate statement calling for the release of the two WOZA leaders, but also a cease to the kind of violence that we have seen meted out against other women activists there.”
SWRadio Africa
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