MUTARE-Teachers here were forced to abandon lessons and flee their schools after marauding Zanu (PF) war veterans invaded schools in Sakubva high density suburbs forcing officials to sign the anti sanctions petition documents.
This event follows the dismal flopping of the so called `Provincial Anti sanctions campaign` in the city centre last week on Saturday.
Teachers who spoke to The Zimbabwean On Thursday said a group of war veterans and Zanu (PF) besieged Sakubva and Zamba primary schools and disrupted lessons accusing teachers of snubbing the launch of the anti sanctions meeting held last week on Saturday.
They came to our school armed with pens and forms and stopped lessons and forced us to sign the petition. Some of colleagues flee to their homes. We were unfortunate and signed under duress, said one teacher who declined to be named for fear of reprisal.
Another teacher said Zanu (PF) was targeting teachers whom for long perceive to be pro-MDC.
They youths are alleged to have harassed some teachers who were trying to resist the move.
Teachers said a report was made to Sakubva police but they did not attend the scene to arrest the war veterans who were causing lawlessness.
A senior police officer at Sakubva confirmed that they received reports from harassed teachers but said the issue was `political`.
MDC-T Manicaland spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya said his party was disturbed that Zanu (PF) was coercing people to sign the document which they said was `voluntary`.
It`s not a national programme so why should professional people forced to append their signatures on the document,Muchauraya said.
Political observers said Zanu (PF) should not disturb the fragile education system which is recovering from a decade of economic meltdown, corruption and maladministration.
Education minister David Coltart warned Zanu (PF) militia not to interfere and tamper with the operations of the country`s fragile education system. His remarks came amid reports that a number of teachers have fled their schools to neighbouring Mozambique after they received threats from war veterans.
Post published in: News