A report by the Daily News website says three of the teachers are battling for their lives at Silveira Mission hospital. A nurse at the hospital has also confirmed the admissions. During a discussion in a local pub the four teachers are said to have argued against the holding of elections next year, citing rampant political violence. It is the tragic irony of the incident that their point was later confirmed by the intolerant attitude of the ZANU PF youths who went on to beat them up.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Masvingo provincial Co-coordinator, Munyaradzi Chauke, told the Daily News that Charles Gono, Ephraim Huyo and Douglas Muchato were battling for their lives in hospital while Andrew Mutuzu, who escaped, reported the incident at their office after he fled Chizondo secondary school where he worked with his colleagues.
Violence against teachers in the rural areas is still widespread especially when it comes to issues that have something to do with politics. Our members were beaten up for contributing their views during a debate at a bottle store. They were assaulted because their views differed with that of the ZANU PF leader Mugabe on the timing of elections. This is not fair and we cannot continue to be treated as punching bags by ZANU PF members, Chauke told the Daily News.
A war vet in the area, calling himself Comrade Lenin, is reported to have bragged that ZANU PF would unleash violence on their opponents. We have since set up our war machinery since we are already in election mood since the day our president announced that there will be polls next year and campaigning is already under way. As for those who oppose our party, like these teachers, I feel pity for them because we were ordered to deal with them, the website quoted him as saying.
Post published in: News